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More miners receiving job reinstatements after registering complaints
The number of requests for temporary reinstatements MSHA submitted on behalf of miners who filed discrimination complaints more than tripled from 2007-2009 to 2010-2012, increasing from 22 to 71. The numbers from the 2010-2012 period are through July 31, 2012. Additionally, MSHA filed 70 complaints alleging mine safety discrimination from 2010 to 2012 – up from 39 for 2007-2009. MSHA cites its own stepped-up efforts to educate miners about their safety and health rights, a more prompt and thorough investigation of discrimination complaints, and taking legal action with the help of department attorneys as key sources of the increases. "All miners have the right to a safe workplace, and the right to identify hazardous conditions and refuse unsafe work without fear of discrimination or retaliation," says Joe Main, MSHA's assistant secretary of labor. "Since I arrived at MSHA nearly three years ago, one of my top goals has been to educate miners about those rights and protections, and to rigorously enforce them." Issues relating to fears of discrimination and retaliation… Keep Reading
Screen Machine president talks jobs, regulations at RNC
Steven Cohen, president of portable plant manufacturer Screen Machine Industries of Licking County, Ohio, took center stage at the Republican National Convention last Wednesday. In a nearly three-minute speech, Cohen focused on small businesses and many of the challenges they face, including overseas competition and patent protection. "As a manufacturer, our products are the heartbeat of our business," Cohen said. "We can't tolerate other companies stealing hard work without compensation. It can take several years and tens of thousands of dollars to achieve patent status. Once granted, we expect it to be protected." Cohen added that American products are often stolen and copied overseas for a fraction of the price, and that manufacturers exporting products on the cheap to the United States don't face the taxes and regulations American businesses do. "While we face higher government-imposed costs, cheaper imports from overseas companies flood our markets," Cohen said. "Unnecessary regulations and mandates imposed on businesses make our products more expensive to make and less competitive to sell." Watch Cohen's speech in… Keep Reading
NMA president a speaker at sustainability event
Hal Quinn, president and CEO of the National Mining Association, is among those slated to speak at a sustainability event titled, "2012 Sustainability Summit: Sustainability & Shareholder Value, Essential Commitments for Tomorrow." The summit, which is expected to bring together hundreds of executive-level decision-makers, will be held Oct. 17-19 at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Others slated to speak are Frank McAllister, chairman and CEO of Stillwater Mining Co.; Steve Forbes, CEO and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media; and Jack Williams, president of XTO, an ExxonMobil subsidiary. Keep Reading
NSK names plant manager for Vermont facility
NSK Steering Systems America recently named Michael Allan plant manager for its steering systems facility in Bennington, Vt. Allan’s appointment follows a 22-year tenure serving NSK in England and Poland. The Vermont facility, along with one in Tennessee, is responsible for producing steering components, manual and electric steering columns, and electric power steering systems. Keep Reading
Size among enhancements on John Deere’s 460E ADT
After an introduction at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2011, the John Deere 460E ADT joins the 370E and 410E as part of the E-Series. John Deere is calling the 460E its largest, most operator-friendly truck ever built. The E-Series ADTs feature a John Deere PowerTech 13.5-liter IT4 engine with three power levels based on the model – 422 net hp, 443 net hp and 481 net hp. A ZF transmission includes a high-capacity retarder, eight forward gears and four reverse gears. In addition, the new hauler axles are designed for heavy-duty applications and include on-the-fly differential locks and outboard planetaries. Each axle is independently pressure lubed and filtered. E-Series axles use internal wet disc brakes that utilize independent cooling circuits. Keep Reading
Terver, Ruiz have new roles at Holcim
Bernard Terver, president and CEO at Holcim, will join the executive committee of international parent company Holcim Ltd. Terver will also assume responsibility for the new group region of North America that includes Holcim U.S., Holcim Canada, Aggregate Industries U.S. and Aggregate Industries U.K. Filiberto Ruiz will serve as deputy CEO of Holcim U.S. and Aggregate Industries U.S. Prior to this promotion, Ruiz served as senior vice president of sales and marketing for Holcim U.S. Keep Reading
New president, vice presidents at Astec
Astec Industries Inc. has promoted Norm Smith to president and COO, Ben Brock to group vice president of asphalt and Richard Dorris to group vice president of energy. Smith was promoted after J. Don Brock resigned as company president. Brock will continue to serve as CEO. Keep Reading
Metso adds distributor in New Jersey
Foley Inc. has been added as a Metso distributor, representing Metso's crushing and screening products in New Jersey. Based in Piscataway, N.J., Foley will also provide Metso customers with field and shop services, trained service technicians and a stocked parts department. Foley is the Caterpillar dealer in north and central New Jersey, as well. Keep Reading
Houston event to highlight benefits of LNG off-road vehicles
The inaugural Natural Gas for High Horsepower Summit will take place Sept. 26-28 in Houston. The event will focus on the applications in which liquefied natural gas (LNG) can replace diesel in off-road, high-horsepower applications used in mining, construction and other industries. Conference sessions will highlight case studies from around the world where LNG is being used instead of diesel to power high-horsepower applications. Speakers at the summit representing the mining and construction industries include Frank Starke, Caterpillar's global product manager for oil and gas; Robert Frayser, the vice chairman of the Utah Mining Association and general manager of Lisbon Valley Mine; David Bolderoff, Los Angeles County Sanitation District fleet administrator; and Claus Emmer, LNG system sales manager at Chart Industries. Learn more at www.hhpsummit.com. Keep Reading
