Murray Energy Corp. CEO Enters 'Survival Mode' After Obama Reelection, Announces Layoffs

CEO Enters 'Survival Mode' After Obama Reelection, Announces Layoffs

With President Obama sticking around for another four years, Murray Energy Corp. CEO Robert Murray has entered “survival mode,” announcing Wednesday that more than 160 employees at various subsidiaries will be laid off, in part due to Obama-related regulations and taxes, WTOV reports.

Murray outlined his views in a letter to employees, which included theories including that a new carbon tax will subsidize Obama supporters and lead to the "total destruction of the coal industry," perhaps by 2030.

“Lord, please forgive me and anyone with me in Murray Energy Corp. for the decisions that we are now forced to make to preserve the very existence of any of the enterprises that you have helped us build,” Murray reported read aloud during a group prayer with staff members Wednesday, according to The Washington Post. “We ask for your guidance in this drastic time with the drastic decisions that will be made to have any hope of our survival as an American business enterprise.”

Murray, who campaigned with and donated to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney during the election season, drew criticism in August for allegedly requiring workers at an Ohio mine owned by the energy company to give up a day’s pay to attend a “mandatory” Romney campaign event. That incident, as well as allegations that he pressured employees to donate to the Romney campaign, led to the planning of an investigation by the Ohio Democratic Party.

Has your boss fired workers as a result of President Obama's reelection? Email Jillian.Berman@huffingtonpost.com and tell us about it.

Of course, a number of CEOs, Murray among them, publicly encouraged employee support for Romney before the election. Now Murray is among the smaller group of employers that have actually put their money where their mouths once were.

Before You Go

The Koch Brothers

CEOs Who Urged Employees To Vote Romney

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