Coal company being sued in class action following large layoff.

former coal mining company they worked for after being abruptly laid off without notice. The miners, Joshua McCoy, Joey Hill, Timothy Vance, and William Stiltner, along with approximately 140 other former colleagues, are accusing Buchanan Minerals of violating the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act).

According to the lawsuit filed in federal court, the miners claim that they were not given the required 60-day notice prior to the mass layoff that occurred on April 28th. The sudden termination of their employment, which affected around one sixth of the mine’s workforce, was allegedly a result of the closure of one or more operating units within the company. The plaintiffs argue that this closure should be considered a plant closure under the WARN Act.

Buchanan Minerals, which employed roughly 600 individuals before the mass layoff, now faces legal action from the former employees seeking compensation for back-pay and damages. The lawsuit filed by the four miners aims to hold the company accountable for what they believe to be a violation of the federal law designed to protect workers in situations of mass layoffs.

The miners, represented by legal counsel, are seeking relief not only for themselves but for all the other employees who were terminated on April 28, 2025. The class action lawsuit highlights the importance of employers following the regulations set out in the WARN Act to ensure that workers are provided with adequate notice and protections in case of sudden layoffs or plant closures.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the former miners are hopeful that their actions will bring attention to the need for companies to adhere to labor laws and protect the rights of their employees, especially in times of economic uncertainty and workforce reductions. The class action lawsuit serves as a reminder that employees have rights and avenues to seek recourse when they believe those rights have been violated by their employers.