GORDONSVILLE, Tenn. -- A group of middle Tennessee miners said that laws that are supposed to protect workers from being surprised by a massive shutdown didn't help them at all.

Video: Mine Workers Say Company Violated Law

On Oct. 8, more than 200 workers at a Gordonsville zinc mine were told to go home because the plant was shutting down.

"In the case of the mine, we were given no notice," said employee Tim Moyer.

"I'm a single father, and I've got two little boys at home, so it was definitely quite a shock to me," said employee Ron Dukes.

The mine is owned by a Canadian company called Strategic Resource Acquisition.

The company said it shut down the plant because of the low price of zinc. They said it currently costs more to get the mineral out of the ground than it's worth.

State and federal laws require companies to give workers 60 days written notice before a massive shutdown. The Warn Act is supposed to alert workers so they can prepare for the loss of employment.

The workers asked the state to enforce the law, but they said they received some bad news.

"If they flagrantly violate it, there's nothing we can do and nothing the federal Department of Labor can do," said Dan Bailey, general counsel for the Department of Labor.

The only remedy the workers have is to hire their own lawyer and sue the company in federal court.

"I know I can't afford a lawyer. It's doubtful any of us can," said Moyer.

For more than 200 workers, this will be a tough Christmas. They worry about losing their houses and feeding their kids.

"I'm hoping to find a job, but there's none hiring right now," said employee Jacob Watts.

The workers said all they want is the two months pay they thought the law guaranteed.