Patriot Coal Corp. won approval from a bankruptcy-court judge Wednesday to slash the pay and benefits of thousands of miners, retirees and dependents.

The ruling is a major blow to the United Mine Workers of America, which represents the miners and has sought to fend off cuts to its active members and retirees. The union, which represents roughly 40% of Patriot's active miners, has previously said it could strike if cuts were too deep, a prospect that would likely cripple the ailing coal producer.

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