A federal judge this week extended an order that’s blocking United Airlines from putting workers who are seeking exceptions to the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate on leave. U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, a Trump nominee, extended the temporary restraining order until Nov. 8. Before his extension, it was to expire on Oct. 26. If the order expired without an injunction in place, “nothing would prevent hundreds of workers from ostensibly either: (1) being compelled to take a vaccination in violation of their religious beliefs or medical restrictions, or (2) being placed on indefinite unpaid leave,” Pittman wrote in a 3-page document on Monday explaining the rationale. United and six employees are locked in a legal battle over the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Workers sued in September over United’s plans to put on leave any employees who requested religious or medical exemptions. The order only blocks action against workers who filed for …