Pennsylvania officials, agencies stepping in to help laid off coal mine workers
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Pennsylvania officials and agencies are moving to help over 300 workers who were laid off Friday from a Somerset County coal mine.
State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset) and Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker said they are working with Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's Rapid Response to make services available to former Corsa Coal employees impacted by the layoffs.
The rapid response team will hold an information meeting for employees Tuesday, April 8 at the Somerset County Technology Center at 281 Technology Drive in Somerset beginning at 10 a.m. The meeting will give the impacted workers a chance to connect with information about unemployment claims and re-employment opportunities.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Corsa Coal faces potential lawsuit for failing to notify of layoffs soon enough
'Like many of you, I have been following the media reports of the Corsa Coal layoffs that are clearly impacting our community,' Metzgar said. 'I know this time creates uncertainty for the employees of Corsa Coal and their families. My office is here to help with unemployment claims or other questions you have during this time.'
'When workers suddenly lose jobs that provide family-sustaining wages and benefits, the ripple effects are felt throughout our communities. The Department of Labor & Industry's Rapid Response team is actively engaged with Corsa Coal's parent company, Wilson Creek Energy, to support affected employees,' Secretary Walker said.
Metzgar's office located at 1808 N. Center Ave., Suite 200, in Somerset is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is available for workers looking for assistance.
Corsa Coal filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January and shut down their operations in Somerset County April 4. 332 employees were laid off by the company and its subsidiaries in Friedens.
A federal bankruptcy judge recently approved a $23.5 million sale of Corsa mining assets to Johnstown-based LCT Energy and Kittanning-based Rosebud Mining. Both have a significant mining presence in the region.
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