According to reports, poor market conditions within the steel industry have prompted the company’s decision to go ahead with the job cuts.
The company has issued notices to 370 union and salaried employees, which includes notices to eliminate management positions.
A company spokesman Walter Energy spokesman Bill Stanhouse said that the company as sent WARN notices to unions and salaried employees working at Jim Walter Resources Blue Creek Mine No. 7, the central shop, and No. 5 preparation plant about the job cuts.
The jobs planned to be eliminated at the facilities within the next two months.
With the job cuts,expected to begin this July, the company will cut 20% of its 1,700 employees.
Tuscaloosa News cited Walter Energy community and government affairs vice president Bill Stanhouse as saying: "We are expecting these reductions to take effect if market conditions don’t improve."
Additional layoffs are expected to happen from the company’s Central Supply and Central Mining Office.
