Labour unions hailed a Federal Court decision Wednesday where a judge ordered Ottawa to “further consider” compelling underground coal operator HD Mining to release documents in its hiring of foreign workers at a project in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

Federal Human Resources Minister Diane Finley was given a Jan. 21 deadline to decide if she would push the company for the documents.

“We are extremely pleased with Justice (Michael) Manson’s decision because it should strongly encourage the minister to ensure that HD Mining discloses the resumes of 300 Canadians who applied for coal mining jobs,” union lawyer Charles Gordon said in a statement.