Temporary halt of W.Va. coal strike extended

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (AP) — A court order temporarily halting a coal strike in Monongalia County will remain in effect until mid-November.

The temporary restraining order issued by Chief U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey was set to expire on Friday. The Times West Virginian reports that U.S. District Judge Irene Keeley has extended the order until Nov. 14.

Patriot Coal subsidiary Eastern Associated Coal filed an emergency complaint against the United Mine Workers of America Local 1750 on Oct. 17 after union workers went on strike at the company’s Federal No. 2 mine.

Keeley’s order says both parties agreed that extending the restraining order would give them an opportunity to resolve the dispute without further litigation.

The union has declined to comment on the strike.