Warrior Met Coal is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information on damage to electrical transmission and distribution equipment on the company’s property on three occasions within the last two months.
The Alabama Mining Association announced the reward today, saying that the damage “impacted public utility service and can seriously endanger the health and safety of the company’s workers.”
According to a news release, the damage happened on Warrior’s property on the evenings of May 15, June 1 and June 12. Deputy Jessica McDaniel with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that several investigations are ongoing into property crimes at multiple locations.
About 1,100 workers at Warrior Met Coal have been engaged in a strike against the company since April 1. The United Mine Workers of America rejected a proposed contract in April, saying that the union had already made significant concessions during its previous contract in pay, benefits, holidays and overtime to keep the company going.
Warrior Met emerged from the bankruptcy proceedings of the former Walter Energy, which declared bankruptcy in 2016.
Phil Smith, director of communications and governmental affairs for the United Mine Workers of America, said the union “does not condone or believe in destruction of property in any form, or violence of any kind.”
Patrick Cagle, president of the Alabama Mining Association, said he did not believe “any responsible member of the mining community would do something like that.”
“Our industry’s greatest responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of our workforce and our neighbors in the communities where we operate,” Cagle said. “These incidents were serious threats to Warrior’s team and the surrounding area, and we encourage anyone with information to contact the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office so this reckless behavior can be stopped.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tuscaloosa County Sherriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (205) 464-8652 or (205) 752-0616.