Member Article

National Union of Mineworkers rejects government scheme to wind down Kellingley mine

Last week UK Coal, operator of the Kellingley mine in Yorkshire agreed tp participate in a private sector led consortium that will invest in a managed closure of the business by late 2015, which today the National Union of Miners rejected.

There is a government e-petition here with nearly 1,500 signatures that has been displayed on the NUM site began by a Mr. Dean-Craig Cookson and stated “I want the Government to help stop the closure of Kellingley Colliery in West Yorkshire and the loss of over 700 Jobs, we have local power stations to burn the coal mined there and stocks of coal for at least twenty five years of mining.”

The Thoresby mine in Nottinghamshire, which is also under threat of closure produced a similar reaction.

Léonie Mathers, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Sherwood, said: “If it’s true the Government has given up and are to allow the closure of Thoresby Colliery, this is devastating news for our area.

“As long as there are still options which could be looked at, we will keep on fighting.”

“As one of the last deep mines in the country, Thoresby is not only crucial to the local economy, to the workers who are employed here and their families, it’s a vital part of our national energy security in the future too.”

“It’s not good enough for the Government simply to hand over millions to UK Coal to close the pit for good. All options must be on the table and Government should act now to save the industry.”

A statement from the mine operator read: “UK Coal notes the feedback from the NUM branch meeting on Sunday April 13 2014.”

“UK Coal was informed that up to 250 NUM members attended and a show of hands indicated a reluctance to accept the managed closure deal, but this was not an official vote.

“Further discussions will now take place to fully understand the views of all NUM members, as UK Coal seeks to finalise a £20m investment package for an 18 month closure programme. Without this deal, the business is likely to enter insolvency in the coming days.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .