miners

At least 7,000 coal workers lost their jobs last year.

According to the proposed settlement, two main categories in this case apply under bankruptcy law.

The petition was filed by the United Mine Workers and the United Steelworkers unions.

The Milton, West Virginia-based Blackjewel, LLC, and related companies filed for Chapter 11 business reorganization Bankruptcy Protection on July 1.

Another bill moving ahead would allow state attorneys to investigate a bankrupt company’s wage or hour records.

Lawyers for Blackjewel say the coal is losing value and increasing in combustibility, meaning it could burst into flames, as it sits on the tracks.