HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)- — Several out of work Blackjewel miners will head to Charleston, West Virginia to attend a bankruptcy hearing for their former employer.
The mining company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the beginning of July and said they would need about $6 million to pay employees. Hundreds of people were affected and paychecks for the last pay period bounced. Miners and their families have been struggling to make ends meet.
According to a post by Harlan County Judge Executive Dan Mosley, those who wish to participate in the "Pay the Miners First Caravan" should be at the Harlan Center before 4:35 a.m. At that time, they will begin loading the vehicles and will depart at exactly 5 a.m. to allow enough time to get to Federal bankruptcy court in Charleston.
The Harlan Center is located at 201 South Main Street. Volunteers with SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region acquired a tour bus to transport miners who want to attend the hearing.
All miners will also receive a t-shirt that says "Pay the miners first, the lawyers last."
If you plan on driving to the Federal Courthouse yourself to Charleston, the address is:
Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse
300 Virginia Street East
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
