Woman claims gender discrimination at coal company

MOUNDSVILLE - An Ohio County woman says she was not hired by Consolidation Coal Company because of her gender.

In a lawsuit filed in Marshall Circuit Court, Vickie Loughery charges that males of equal or lesser experience were hired ahead of her.

Jason Adkins, Jeff Hohn and James Magro are also listed as defendants. Loughery says they were "involved in hiring decisions" that affected her.

She says she applied at the Shoemaker Mine, McElroy Mine and Bailey Mine in an effort to return to working at a mine owned by Consolidation Coal. She had previously worked at the Shoemaker Mine.

"Consolidation has publicly indicated the need to hire new miners or rehire miners laid off, particularly to replace miners that were retiring," the complaint says. "Despite her repeated attempts and despite her previous experience, Loughery was not hired by Consolidation."

Instead, she says, other males were hired ahead of her and charges the defendants with violating the West Virginia Human Rights Act.

She is seeking back pay and benefits and punitive damages.

Patrick S. Cassidy of Wheeling law firm Cassidy, Myers, Cogan and Voegelin is representing Loughery.

Circuit Judge John Madden has been assigned to the case.

Marshall Circuit Court case number 06-C-120M