Political gifts of coal magnate exceed $800,000
Larry Addington's money went mostly to panel McConnell led
Frank E. Lockwood / Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) 28feb01
WASHINGTON -- Eastern Kentucky coal magnate Larry Addington has contributed more than $800,000 to political groups and candidates over the past three years giving more money to the Republican Party last year than such corporate giants as Exxon Mobil Corp.
Most of that money $500,000 was given to the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 1998 to 2000, while U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Louisville was its chairman.
http://www.mindfully.org/Energy/Coal-Magnate-$800K-Gift.htm
Who is Sen. Mitch McConnell's wife? Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, is Mitch's wife...
Sago Mine Accident in West Virginia
Statement of U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao On the West Virginia Mine Incident
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued the following statement on the Sago Mine announcement in Buckhannon, W.Va.:
"Our hearts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of the 12 miners who perished in this tragedy and our hopes and prayers are with the one miner who survived. Along with them, the nation has been riveted by the heroic efforts of the mine rescue teams and others, who rushed to the scene and put their lives on the line to try and return their comrades to safety. The Mine Safety and Health Administration is launching a full investigation to determine the cause of this tragedy and will take the necessary steps to ensure that this never happens again."
http://www.msha.gov/welcome.htm***********************
Ross to move International Coal Group headquarters to W.Va.
ERIK SCHELZIG
Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - International Coal Group Inc., headed by New York billionaire Wilbur L. Ross, plans to move its headquarters from Eastern Kentucky to Charleston, The Associated Press has learned.
Ross cited better office space, the absence of a payroll tax and the proximity to the old headquarters - Charleston is about 65 miles down Interstate 64 from Ashland, Ky. - as reasons for the move.
"We don't have any mines that are right near Ashland anyway," Ross said in a telephone interview Thursday. "The Ashland headquarters is sort of a historic accident from the days when Addington controlled the company."
The Addington family ran what was known as AEI Resources Holding Inc. Ross bought the renamed Horizon Natural Resources Co. out of bankruptcy last year to form International Coal Group.
http://www.miami.com/mld/ohio/business/709/11969372.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jspCoal mine reports spate of citations
CHARLESTON, W. Va. (AP) — A coal mine where 13 miners were trapped after an explosion Monday was cited 208 times for alleged safety violations in 2005, up from just 68 citations the year before.
Federal regulators' allegations against the Sago Mine included failure to dilute coal dust, which can lead to explosions, and failure to properly operate and maintain machinery, according to the U.S. Labor Department.
Ninety-six of the citations were considered "significant and substantial" by inspectors.
An official with the International Coal Group, which has owned the mine since March, said the Labor Department could have closed the mine if it were deemed unsafe
http://usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-02-mine-citations_x.htmI'm betting that the secretary of labor lets the coal company off the hook! * Any takers?
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SOOOOOOO how does this company's history of treatment of it's "Valued" employees look?
Miners' Benefits Vanish With Bankruptcy Ruling
By JAMES DAO
Published: October 24, 2004
SMITHERS, W.Va., Oct. 22 - After 31 years, Carl Leake retired last year from the Cannelton mine near here with what he thought was a rock-solid promise of health insurance for life under his union contract. And a vital promise it was: this summer, his wife was found to have breast cancer and her treatment has cost more than $200,000.
But last month, a federal bankruptcy judge in Kentucky authorized Cannelton's owner, Horizon Natural Resources, to terminate its collective bargaining agreements with the United Mine Workers of America. And just like that, Mr. Leake's guaranteed health insurance was gone.
"I figure we could lose everything if we have to pay her bills," Mr. Leake, 61, said.
Mr. Leake is one of nearly 3,800 union coal miners and their dependents in West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana whose company-financed health insurance vanished with a swipe of Judge William S. Howard's pen last month. The union has pledged to cover their health insurance for six months. But beyond that, many workers are facing a future with no insurance or monthly premiums they can barely afford.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/24/national/24miners.html?ex=1256270400&en=b8988ec6269744fa&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland