A major issue in the Patriot Coal Corp. bankruptcy has been the benefits and pay of the miners, retirees and dependents. Patriot has argued that without the deep cuts in pay and benefits that it would be forced to liquidate while the Union has threatened to strike if the cuts were too severe. In a ruling this week, a bankruptcy judge stated that it is evident that Patriot must be allowed concessions in order to survive. A Union representative said they would appeal the decision.

For more read, “Bankruptcy Judge Allows Patriot Coal to Scrap Union Contracts.”