Many coal miners are expressing deep frustration with former President Donald Trump, accusing his administration of failing to uphold safety rules meant to protect them from black lung disease.
A group of miners and their families are planning to protest outside the Labor Department on Tuesday, calling attention to what they describe as the government’s neglect in enforcing limits on dangerous silica dust — a major contributor to the recent rise in black lung cases among younger miners, according to The New York Times.
“The companies might be getting a handout, but the miners ain’t getting none,” said Gary Hairston, 71, a retired coal miner from West Virginia and president of the National Black Lung Association.
Hairston, who has lived with black lung disease since his 40s, said the illness — once seen mostly in older miners — is now affecting younger workers in their 30s and 40s at alarming rates.
“It’s not the coal that’s getting them, it’s the silica,” said Andy Martin, 68, a retired miner from Virginia who also suffers from the disease. “We need to get this done for the younger generation.”
Federal limits on silica exposure were due to be implemented in April, but industry lobbying groups challenged the measure in federal court, arguing it would impose excessive costs on mine operators.
“We are absolutely supportive of the new lower levels,” said Conor Bernstein, a spokesperson for the National Mining Association.
The rule requires mining companies to control silica dust through better ventilation and engineering solutions, rather than relying solely on respirators or protective gear. However, the Trump administration chose not to defend the rule in court and even sought to block labor unions and lung health advocates from joining the case.
“Sure, they talk about how much they care about coal but come down here and look,” said Judith Riffe, 80, whose husband, Bernard, passed away in March from black lung complications.
While Trump had pledged to revive the coal industry during his re-election campaign, families like Riffe’s say the promises have not translated into protection or support for the miners themselves.
“They’re mining a lot more now, the coal trucks and everything are running, but there’s no benefits for the coal miners coming in,” said Riffe, who lives in Wyco, West Virginia. “The coal miners have supplied this country with electricity, and now they’re just cast aside to die.”
