Massey Energy Settles Age Bias Claim with West Virginia Miners

Hundreds of miners who were not rehired after Massey Energy bought a West Virginia mine have settled an age discrimination lawsuit against the Richmond, Va.-based coal producer.

A hearing to approve the deal is scheduled for Friday before Fayette County Circuit Court Judge Paul Blake Jr.

Massey says in a regulatory filing the deal covers 229 miners, including 82 the company has been ordered to rehire by the National Labor Relations Board and a federal court.

The company is appealing those rulings, which say Massey discriminated against United Mine Workers members at a bankrupt eastern Kanawha County mine acquired in 2004.

Massey says it expects insurance to pay most of the settlement, except a $1 million deductible and payroll taxes for back pay included in the deal.