Blackjewel Miners React to Gubernatorial Debate
October 16, 2019 - Tuesday night was a fiery debate between Governor Matt Bevin and Attorney General Andy Beshear at the 'Kentucky Debate.'
Bevin and Beshear sharing heated moments including a topic that hits close to home coal mining and Blackjewel was front and center.
"We had over 200 miners for over a month standing on railroad tracks because they had worked more than three weeks of hard dangerous work that they weren't paid for. But there was a state law that was supposed to protect them. A bond that would have paid them for every single minute of their work," said Beshear.
Beshear talking about a Kentucky law that requires a surety bond to cover and entire payroll for four weeks for a company that is in business for less than five consecutive years.
Bevin countering saying there is no mechanism in place to enforce the law.
"I have been leading the charge on the fact and indeed been working with legislatures to ensure that in this next session we close that loophole so there will be a mechanism so there will be accountability and so this kind of thing will no happen again in the future."
In Harlan County, Blackjewel miners David Estep and Randy Blakley say they are just wanting what they are owed.
"I mean they have been here but our main thing is we still don't have our money back none of it," said Estep.
"I mean we still don't have any money or anything like that so really neither one of them," said Blakley.
You can watch the full 'Kentucky Debate' here.