Massey settles age discrimination suit for $8.75M

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - More than 200 miners who were not rehired after Massey Energy bought a bankrupt West Virginia mine have settled an age discrimination lawsuit against the Richmond, Va.-based coal producer for $8.75 million.

On Friday, Fayette County Circuit Judge Paul Blake Jr. approved the settlement. It covers 229 miners, including 82 union miners the company has since been ordered to rehire by the National Labor Relations Board and a federal court.

Under the terms of the settlement, the 82 will each receive $38,000. The remaining miners will receive $19,000.

The case stems from Massey's 2004 purchase of a bankrupt eastern Kanawha County mine. The mine was closed at the time but the lawsuit claimed Massey refused to rehire the mine's union workers.