You know, because they are not really big fans of dying on the job, and all. Liberty-haters and collectivists, obviously:
"Rand Paul and his deregulation -- all he talks about is deregulation and the local authorities having total control over any regulation," said Tim Miller, a UMW representative in Madisonville. "I think that takes us back at least 100 years, back to when 12-year-old kids could work in the coal mines."
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The union members said federal regulations have come a long way in protecting miners in the workplace. They pointed specifically to rules that set ventilation and roof support standards in underground mines.
"I think we depend on federal legislation to keep us safe in the mines," said Bernie Alvey, another union member. "I hate that it happens that we have these catastrophes in the coal mines, but they always bring on new laws that keep the rest of us safe later on."
http://barefootandprogressive.blogspot.com/2010/08/kentucky-miners-not-thrilled-with-rand.html