Dude, the problem with your theory is that the union goons rallied AT THE COAL COMPANY and NOT THE EPA or some government office. Therefore, they have NOT learned their lesson very well. Case closed.
You clearly can't tell the difference between union bosses with their bussed-in goons, and locals. Read the article. Quote from the article: "UMWA packed twenty-two buses of miners from Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and elsewhere, ". Study the election maps in #23. WV Coal Country went from supporting Gore in '00 to rejecting 0bama in '08 and '12. You're wrong. It's that simple.
Geeze ... I hate unions. I hate professional bullshitters even more, especially when they pretend to be conservatives.