Mining Layoffs Affect Whole Community

Mining Layoffs Affect Whole Community


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Alex Cabrero ReportingOut of work, out of paychecks, and maybe out of more jobs to find. Now that more than 100 miners are looking for work in Carbon County the effect it has on those communities could be big.

There weren't a whole lot of smiles when we were in Price last night, even though Christmas is just a week away. 114 miners were laid off and no matter what the reasons are, tough times are ahead.

Mining is one of the toughest jobs you could ever have and it'd be hard to find a Utah town that relies on it as much as Price, not so much for energy, but for jobs. Unfortunately, as at least one miner found out, when the jobs are gone it's devastating.

Miner: "I was one in the group that got laid off. I was really shocked."

More than 100 miners at the UtahAmerican Energy Incorporated mines were laid off yesterday, and for a small, rural county like Carbon County, it hurts.

Mike Dalpiaz, Mayor, Helper: "Oh, it's an unbelievable tragedy for them, the families and all the people who were promised jobs."

Mike Dalpiaz is mayor of the small city of Helper, right next to Price. Many of the miners laid off live in his town and when they're out of work there is a ripple effect throughout the community.

Mike Dalpiaz: "Oh, it's gonna affect us. Unfortunately, we could have people moving out. Our schools are going to be affected. Our economy is going to be affected. It's devastating on the entire county."

Just how ingrained is mining in Helper? Well, Dalpiaz is also the international vice president for the United Mine Workers union, so he knows full well how tough it's going to be.

Mike Dalpiaz: "There is some work, but it's kind of tough right now, Alex. Most everybody is full, into the year thing. There's not a lot of jobs out there right now in the mining industry."

The CEO of the company that did all the layoffs says it's only a temporary layoff because of a dangerous buildup of methane gas in one of its mines. Once that gas is ventilated, he's hoping to hire all of them back.

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