I am happy they have a job and a good one that pays quite well. I am from S Illinois...I know they want those jobs and that they pay well. If someone doesn't want that type of work they don't have to do it.
I once worked in a miserable sugar plant lime kiln. It had lime dust everywhere. When I got off work, I had lime dust burning my skin. I still have scars. Anyway, it paid well and it was a job. Those coal miners don't have many job opportunities that pay well, so they will go underground.