Walker Machinery Company, the Caterpillar equipment dealer servicing
central/southern West Virginia and eastern Ohio, kicked off a series of
Friends of Coal membership drives at its Belle headquarters today in an
effort to increase enrollment in the organization and to further
demonstrate Walker Machinery’s commitment to the region’s mining
industry. The company will hold membership drives at all seven of its
operations over the coming weeks.
Walker Machinery Company, the Caterpillar equipment dealer servicing central/southern West Virginia and eastern Ohio, kicked off a series of Friends of Coal membership drives at its Belle headquarters today in an effort to increase enrollment in the organization and to further demonstrate Walker Machinery’s commitment to the region’s mining industry. The company will hold membership drives at all seven of its operations over the coming weeks.
Steve Walker, President of Walker Machinery, said, “West Virginia jobs and our state’s economy have been put in jeopardy by recent federal court decisions, an over-zealous Congress and, most seriously, extremists seeking to end our nation’s use of coal. We are working with the Friends of Coal to sign up as many of our employees as possible over the next two weeks. I challenge other coal- and non-coal related businesses to follow suit.”
The Friends of Coal is a volunteer organization that consists of both West Virginians and residents from far beyond West Virginia’s borders. The group works to inform and educate citizens about the coal industry and the vital role it plays in our state and nation’s future.
Mel Hancock, field organizer for the Friends of Coal, said, “Walker Machinery’s support of the coal industry and the Friends of Coal is unmatched. They continue to set an example that I hope others in the industry, as well as those businesses, organizations and individuals that benefit from mining, will follow.”
Hancock said that while it is up to the individual employee whether they enroll in the group, he hopes that the recruitment events will, at minimum, reemphasize the critical role each of Walker’s employees play in supporting our economy and keeping the lights on across the nation. For those employees that do sign up, he hopes they will go out and recruit others in their immediate circle of friends and family. There is no cost to join the organization.
“West Virginians, even if some may not know it, are coal people,” Walker said. “The simple reality is that coal powers ninety-nine percent of our homes and businesses, provides enormous benefits, in terms of jobs, taxes and community support, and is the foundation of West Virginia’s economy. If we, as citizens of this state, don’t start voicing our opinion, particularly in the absence of a viable alternative, we all stand to lose.”
For information on hosting a Friends of Coal membership drive, contact Mel Hancock at (304) 237-5694, or visit www.FriendsOfCoal.org. More information on Walker Machinery can be found at www.walker-cat.com.
