Massey Energy, the Virginia-based mining company coping with the death of 29 workers this week after a mine explosion in West Virginia, is working with two PR firms in the aftermath of the blast.
Dix & Eaton of Cleveland and Washington, D.C.-based Qorvis Communications are helping the company handle a barrage of media and regulatory scrutiny that has followed the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster, Massey told O’Dwyer’s in a statement.
Massey CEO
Don Blankenship |
Media and social media have been circulating negative safety reports and past quotes from Massey executives, providing a significant challenge for the company as it works to through the crisis.
D&E is handling media inquiries for Massey. It worked with International Coal Group four years ago in the wake of the Sago Mine accident that killed 12 workers after an explosion in that coal mine.
Qorvis has worked with the company since at least last year.
The April 12 explosion was the worst U.S. mine disaster in decades, according to the federal government.
President Barack Obama on April 15 faulted both Massey and federal regulators for the explosion.
“Safety violators like Massey have still been able to find ways to put their bottom lines before the safety of their workers, filing endless appeals instead of paying fines and fixing safety problems,” the president said.
But Massey’s PR operation has been engaged in the criticism and pushed back against Obama’s statement as “regrettable” while calling the president “misinformed.”
The company, a large coal producer in the region, has also dealt with what it says are erroneous reports about benefits to the families of the victims.
In a statement April 15, the company cited as untrue an Internet report that claimed benefits were being paid to stave off lawsuits while noting that personal injury lawyers have published ads seeking cases and tried to contact family members. Massey said there will be an appropriate time to discuss settlement options with the families.
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