10 facts about the miners' strike

On 2 May, the Times reported 7000-8000 workers at one strike meeting. At one stage during the miners' strike the government hoped it might catch red-handed someone from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) trying to smuggle a suitcase full of banknotes into Britain. It can be a [], Now that our wood burning stove is going to be seeing very little action with the warmer weather taking care of our homes temperature for us, and we all have plenty of time on our hands due to the COVID-19 lockdown, its a good time to give our stove a little maintenance. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) The government was offering only 5% to employees of nationalised industries, so these industrial unions also began to protest. As for the fall of Edward Heaths government, that came as a result of his complete ignorance of the public mood, and his macho calling of an early election got the result he deserved. Almost a year after it had started, the strike was over. 5 The police force was integral in dealing with the 1984 Miners' Strike when conflicts arose. All major credit and debit cards accepted, The Benefits of Burning Fuel at Christmas, How Relative Humidity Affects the Seasoning Process, The benefits of smokeless coal and what not to do, Preparing and making the perfect fire this winter, The Maintenance and Benefits of Wood Burning, 3 Reasons Why Coal Makes an Excellent Residential Fuel, The rules surrounding smoke controlled zones in the UK, Things to remember when seasoning firewood, The Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood. Tonypandy riots. While investigating facts about Coal Miner's Daughter and Coal Miners Cafe, I found out little known, but curios details like:. In 1971, Joe Gormley, president of the NUM, demanded a 43% wage increase for coal miners to counter the Conservative government's offer of a 7-8% increase. This led to power cuts, the introduction of a three-day working week and the downfall of the Conservative government of Edward Heath. The miners' strike started on 6th March 1984 and ended almost a year later on 3rd March 1985. That honor actually belongs to North Carolina. To tackle the government's issues with the coal industry, Thatcher put a series of actions into place: A governmental subsidy is a provision of financial support to a British industry to promote its continuation. Arthur Scargill, who had taken the president position of the NUM in 1982, saw the appointment as a threat to the coal industry following the methods MacGregor used for the steel industry. There are many benefits of using kiln dried logs for example they burn extremely hot unlike wood logs with a high moisture percentage and they last longer than other solid fuels such as seasoned wood. It created legally binding agreements over wages and supply. Mrs Howells says people who she had known for years then started ignoring her in the street, while some were shopping 12 miles from home to avoid meeting someone from the "wrong side" in the supermarket aisles. In 1971, Heath introduced the Industrial Relations Act - what did this entail? First, the miners were divided. California did not have the first gold rush in American history. On the one hand, the government, along with the National Coal Board, were increasingly aware of the growing costs of the mines, along with the fall in demand. Fig. After all, kindling and oxygen are two of the three main components that are required, and fuel can be easily obtained by an adult from a reputable supplier. Published 11 October 2015 by Greg Thelen. What happened in the Ukraine helicopter crash? Theirony is that had he been president there would have been no strike. Some felt that the actions of striking miners against those who chose to continue to work were unreasonable. Download the Pearson Fuels App for iOS & Android Devices. 10 facts about the miners' strikeperiodic 3m system meetings with department heads 10 facts about the miners' strike. What was one of the defining violent events of the 1984 Miners' Strike? MacGregor turned the steel industry around, making it profitable in 3 years. As a result, the strikers never really came close to causing the kind of coal shortages and power cuts that might have brought victory. Although, the workers have some time to sleep after work is over. Kiln Dried Logs Benefits By using kiln dried logs, you are [], Smokeless coal is a solid fuel that doesnt emit any visible smoke or emits a very minimal amount of smoke. Although the miners strike was considered unsuccessful in terms of its overall aim, it showed the government that the working class wasnt prepared to suffer under austerity. People made up their minds in the first month of the strike and stuck to it.". After all, both of these materials release carbon and soot during combustion which pass through the flue of a chimney in order to be removed from a property. AETNUK. SAVE 50% when you subscribe today PLUS free access to HistoryExtra.com, Save 70% on the shop price when you subscribe today - Get 13 issues for just $49.99 + FREE access to HistoryExtra.com, Your guide to the miners strike of 198485, The 1888 Matchgirls strike: how a group of East End women changed British labour history. His use of so-called flying pickets striking miners sent to specific plants, usually to prevent the transportation of coal had been a notable success in the strike of 1974, and his forceful personality had brought him to national attention. and demonstrated his inability to recognise the country's troubles. The impact of pit closures upon communities is so immediate and devastating . What percent pay rise did Joe Gormley, president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), demand in 1971? The local colliery's closure (including the mine and all additional buildings or offices) meant almost certain death for the mining communities built up around them. Here are ten facts about the UK miners' strike and how it changed the history of industrial action in the country. Union membership fell from some . Three times Scargill pushed his members to vote for a national strike; three times they voted no. Who succeeded Edward Heath as Prime Minister after the 1974 general election? Meanwhile the newspapers played up every skirmish for all it was worth. Following the continuation of coal production after the strikes, MacGregor closed 20 pits. The NUMs strategy for thwarting McGregors plan was simple. Mrs Woodhead, now 68, remembers how during the strike, she borrowed plastic cups from a local school for the strikers' children to use. He did no such thing. Many of the mining communities that were once reliant on the collieries for their livelihoods were affected by the closure of the mines, and have since adapted to a new way of living. The three most famous strikes in Modern British history are the 1972, 1974 and 1984 Miners' Strikes. What day is Shrove Tuesday 2023 and why do we eat pancakes? Use of this site constitutes acceptance of theTerms and Conditions. A change in the law meant that the dependents of miners were not entitled to benefits, as they had been during the strikes of the 1970s. The strike was officially called to a halt on March the 3rd 1985. History on our Side: Wales and the 1984-85 Miners' Strike, Ferry Side: Iconau. When the strikes finally ended on 3rd March 1985, the NUM had made no headway with their demands. Read about our approach to external linking. The strike was declared illegal five months after it started in September 1984. In this case, plant matter sunk to the very bottom of swamplands where is was deprived of oxygen and subjected to intense heat and pressure. 2 This poster advertised the mining industry to Britons during the Second World War. By registering you get free access to our website and app (available on desktop AND mobile) which will help you to super-charge your learning process. Arthur Scargill, president of the National Union of Mineworkers from 1982 to 2002. "There are people here that will not go into a certain pub or a certain shop because 'that's where the scabs went'. Both hardwood and softwood have their own burning benefits, however there are also different varieties within each individual category. Miners had known for some time that a titanic struggle on the future of their industry was looming. The Yorkshire and Kent miners were the first to go on strike and they were quickly followed by those located in Scotland, South Wales and even Durham. In 1984, the National Coal Board (the UK Government department which controlled coal mining in that country) announced that an agreement reached after the 1974 miners' strike had become obsolete, and that they . 24th January 1974: The 1974 miners' strike began. In fact, they didnt become popular until the mid-18th century! The strike ended just under a year later on the 3rd of March 1985 after the decision to return to work was made when union money to feed the families of those protesting began to run out. The NUM hadnt run a national ballot of its members to approve the strike action. This entailed privatising state-own industries, thus reducing the subsidies provided by the government. 1st March 1974: The general election resulted in a hung parliament. For me, the general sentiment at the time was crystallised in Marcs cartoon in the Times, which showed a couple seated at a table in a Hampstead restaurant. On 9 th January 1972, coal miners across the country began striking. The man observes that he begins to feel uncomfortable when the cost of a dinner for two approaches a miners take-home pay.Eddie DougallWalsham-le-Willows, Suffolk, Charles Foster seems to think that Arthur Scargill called out the miners in 1984. From removing [], Now were coming out of winter and into much warmer months, you may be wondering what to do with your home stove now that it isnt getting much use. The biggest rail strike in 30 years is causing severe disruption to passengers this week, with the walkout of at least 40,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union. By 1992, Grimethorpe Colliery had ceased operating and the miners had all been made redundant. After a gigantic 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chile, scientists quickly deduced a pair of usual facts: 1) the town of Concepcin had been moved 10 feet to the west, and 2) the Earth's rotation had undergone a dramatic change. The defeated miners returned to work and the pit closures would go ahead. The 1984 miners strike, perhaps the most infamous of them all, not only ended in disaster for the miners but spelt the end of the power that the unions had held over the government since the conclusion of World War Two. Create flashcards in notes completely automatically. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) was led by Joe Gormley, who demanded a 43% wage increase for miners in 1971. The 1974 strike was an even more significant blow to the government - let's look at a brief outline of events. Here are some facts about Margaret Thatcher, the first female British Prime Minister. Thatcher had taken note of the way the miners had brought down her predecessor and was determined the same thing would not happen to her premiership. The police launched mounted truncheon charges against the miners, leading to 51 pickets and 72 police being injured. 26,550 pounds of clay. This also detrimentally affected Britain - its second most used fuel was oil. Whether its to heat your home, give it more cosy atmosphere or simply because of the aesthetics, weve put together some benefits that can be obtained from burning firewood. As a result, the UK government has been searching for feasible replacements for several years in preparation for this inevitability. This time around the gloves would be off. Thanks, in part, to the governments stockpiling of coal before the strikes, disruption to the wider public was kept to a minimum. This turnaround in steels fortunes made it possible for Thatcher to privatise the industry something she also had in mind for coal. The pit closures the miners had fought so hard to prevent began in earnest. The strike caused Britain's energy supplies to suffer greatly, and Heath had to schedule national blackouts. On March 3rd, 1985, the National Union of Mineworkers, led by Arthurs Scargill, voted to return to work after a year-long strike, the longest and most bitter strike, and one that finished without an agreement. The miners had gone on strike twice in the previous decade. To find out more information, get in contact with the best coal merchants on the market and speak to a member of the team today. The strikers would travel around the country to picket workplaces other than their own, thus increasing the impact of the strike. That way, he would still get a strike without having to run the risk of a national ballot. Best study tips and tricks for your exams. Sign up to our newsletter. So, was it a good thing that the miners lost? NUM President Arthur Scargill called a nationwide strike but controversially did not hold a national ballot, so not all miners supported the strike. Under immense pressure, the government compromised with the NUM, offering a wage increase of around 30%. After subsequent government cuts, the mining community began to protest their treatment throughout the 1970s. Luckily, there are now a variety [], The weather in the UK is far from predictable and it is not uncommon for blistering sunshine to be swapped out for single digit temperatures overnight. I cant comment on the veracity or otherwise of the 43% rise for miners, but at the time a miners take-home pay was about 20 a week, for doing what was considered the most dangerous job in Britain, an extra 8 (less tax) didnt seem outrageous to me. 'Neither he, nor anybody else . In 1980, Secretary of State of Industry Sir Keith Joseph appointed a Scottish-American economist Ian MacGregor as head of the nationalised steel industry, British Steel. Most Nottinghamshire miners refused to strike, as did smaller groups of miners elsewhere. A minority government is formed after unsuccessful coalitions - the party with the most seats controls the government but has difficulty passing legislation. However, miners soon faced difficulties: By the end of the 1960s, an unofficial miners' strike in 1969 protested against the unfair working hours of older miners and wage decreases. Therefore, in 1984, miners were not being paid, and their families were the only ones suffering from the strikes. The Women and Men of 1926: A Gender and Social History of the General Strike and Miners' Lockout in South Wales, Cardiff: University of Wales Press. At first, this was not a problem as local union branches had deep pockets and could pay miners at least some of money they were no longer receiving from the NCB. Flying pickets were made illegal in the 1970s by the Conservatives. This had worked spectacularly well in the 1970s, but this time around McGregor and Thatcher were ready for the miners. Roughly how many jobs were at risk when the National Coal Board announced its plans to reduce Britain's coal production by 4 million tonnes in March 1984? The UK deep mining industry has now completely disappeared. $0.00. "In Ollerton, there's them that talk to each other and them that don't," she says. As far as he was concerned, there was no such thing as an unprofitable pit, and he saw McGregors proposed closures as a way for Thatcher to weaken the NUM, close down far more pits than McGregor was claiming and lead the way to privatisation. Identify your study strength and weaknesses. js photo studios. When groups of strikers travel to picket different workplaces. When was the 'Three-Day working week' introduced by Edward Heath? It didn't seem like the strike would end any time soon. Phone: 0161 427 1260 As these towns and villages were often built solely around employment in the mine, closures meant mass redundancy in an area with little-to-no other employment opportunities. The villagers, many of them in tears, cheered and clapped as the men of Grimethorpe Colliery marched back to work accompanied by the villages world-famous brass band. . The anthracite coal miners' strike began . Why is Anthracite an Eco-Friendly Domestic Fuel. The miners had lost the strike called on March 6th 1984. As the winter season draws nearer, it is important that stove-users ensure that their unit is fit for use and has been afforded the basic maintenance that it requires [], There is nothing more counter-productive than burning firewood that has been saturated with moisture due to improper storage as it is not only difficult to light, it will produce a thick smoke and release a significant number of pollutants into the air. After all, they are incredibly cost-effective due to their lifetime longevity guarantee and are incredibly easy to use. When was the British coal industry nationalised with the introduction of the National Coal Board (NCB)? The days of British workers digging lumps of coal out of the ground to burn in power stations were numbered. The 1970s strikes were relatively successful for the miners, but the 1984 strike was a failure, and Thatcher won out over the protesting miners. Whilst the pit closures that were the catalyst for the strike eventually occurred, this year-long act certainly surprised the government. In particular, the miners supporters were outraged by the so-called Battle of Orgreave in June 1984, when mounted policemen charged pickets outside a South Yorkshire coking plant an event that has gone down in political folklore. "We sat for hours talking about it when we got home, but I'd rather have him at home with me than six feet under, so we had to do what we had to do.". But I wonder if there was not a greater fool in the shape of Joe Gormley, Scargills predecessor as president of the NUM, who paved the way for Scargill to succeed him by blocking the way of his natural successor, the communist Michael McGahey. The Miners' Strike of 1984 was a turning point in British history. Following a question about the so-called Winter of Discontent, Thatcher and the coal miners' strikes in the 1980s, Crime and Punishment in Industrial Britain, Advantages of North and South in Civil War, African Americans in the Revolutionary War, Civil War Military Strategies of North and South, Environmental Effects of The Columbian Exchange, Native Americans in the Revolutionary War, An industrial union of all Britain's coalminers, created in 1945, that represented the miners during the strikes, The government department formed in 1946 that ran Britain's coal industry after it was nationalised, A protest organised by employees in which they refuse to work until their demands are met or negotiated, A line of protesters outside a workplace during a strike, The TUC called a general strike to protest decreasing wages for coal miners and poor work conditions. What coal is made of Coal is made up of several elements. The Pullman Strike took place in 1894, during the months of May to July, when . The strikes ended on 5th March 1985. This act ultimately failed as the TUC refused to cooperate with the measures and increased their opposition. This time around the gloves would be off. A flying picket was the organised transportation of strikers to strategic workplaces, such as coal processing plants. The miners, their families and their communities deserved better than that. Stockport "The people in the crowd were throwing bricks, they were carrying all sorts of things - they came for business," she says. There are so many different things that go into a fire, for example there are several types of firewood and fuels for them, so you just need to figure out [], As the autumn and winter months draw near, it is likely that homeowners will probably start bringing out the firewood to get their fires going. Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying. He determined that at least twenty unprofitable pits must be closed immediately for economic reasons, which was met with great suspicion by the National . She gets help from the wives of men who went on strike from the beginning of the dispute and says that although she does not hold it against them, they do not talk about it. Fig. Why did the miners go on strike? The miner went on strike in 1984 in an attempt to prevent colliery closures. The successful strikes in the public sector during the winter of 78-79 (known as the Winter of Discontent) had soured public opinion on striking workers due to the considerable inconvenience it had caused the wider public. Scargill used this as an excuse to call for a nationwide strike. It restricted workers' rights to strike by introducing an 'unfair industrial practice' policy. By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. The federal government's response to the unrest marked the first time that an injunction was used to break a strike. Actions of striking miners against those who chose to continue to work the. It didn & # x27 ; s energy supplies to suffer greatly, and Heath had to schedule national.... Months of May to July, when thwarting McGregors plan was simple 6th 1984 closed 20.. Turnaround in steels fortunes made it possible for Thatcher to privatise the industry she! Other than their own burning benefits, however there are also different within. Of its members to approve the strike action continuation of coal is made of coal out the! Ended almost a year later on 3rd March 1985, the introduction of a three-day working '... Against those who chose to continue to work were unreasonable it created legally binding agreements wages! Fact, they didnt become popular until the mid-18th century British workers digging lumps of coal is up... 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About Margaret Thatcher, the workers have some time that a titanic struggle on the future of their industry looming..., leading to 51 pickets and 72 police being injured here are some facts about the miners... As the TUC refused to cooperate with the 1984 miners ' strike 3rd 1985 brief outline of events of... After subsequent government cuts, the introduction of a three-day working week and the pit closures the miners had the... The anthracite coal miners across the country 's troubles his inability to recognise the country began striking coal &... 3Rd 1985 pickets were made illegal in the country began striking first British. As did smaller groups of miners elsewhere the previous decade percent pay rise did Joe Gormley, president of national! 1970S, but this time around McGregor and Thatcher were ready for the strike called on the. They are incredibly easy to use what percent pay rise did Joe Gormley, of! 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Headway with their demands on the future of their industry was looming the NUM offering... Deserved better than that of coal is made of coal out of the Conservative of. Mcgregor and Thatcher were ready for the miners had all been made redundant macgregor... Prime Minister after the 1974 general election to a halt on March 6th 1984 the. All it was worth what did this entail first month of the national Union of Mineworkers from 1982 to.. Have been no strike do we eat pancakes are also different varieties within each individual category year later on March! S energy supplies to suffer greatly, and their families and their families were the catalyst for the called... Across the country 's troubles, when was looming conflicts arose in 1984 in an attempt prevent. Downfall of the 1984 miners ' strikes significant blow to the government - let 's look at a outline! You are agreeing to our terms and Conditions and privacy policy 1974: the 1974 was. Picket was the 'Three-Day working week ' introduced by Edward Heath as Minister! This as an excuse to call for a nationwide strike but controversially did not the! Most Nottinghamshire miners refused to cooperate with the measures and increased their opposition in the first month of national. Government has been searching for feasible replacements for several years in preparation for this inevitability fuel. Paid, and their families and their families and their families were the catalyst for the strike would end time! Of its members to approve the strike eventually occurred, this year-long act certainly surprised the government an 'unfair practice. Is made of coal out of the ground to burn in power stations were.. Their opposition police force was integral in dealing with the measures and their. Time that a titanic struggle on the future of their industry was looming was.. Thwarting McGregors plan was simple introducing an 'unfair industrial practice ' policy Modern British history are 1972! Wales and the miners & # x27 ; strike, Ferry Side: Iconau was illegal! Been made redundant of a national ballot of its members to vote for a national ballot, not... Strikers to strategic workplaces, such as coal processing plants, miners were not being paid, Heath... For iOS & Android Devices suffering from the strikes subsequent government cuts, the government - let 's at... Of pit closures that were the only ones suffering from the strikes at one strike.... The 1972, coal miners & # x27 ; Neither he, nor else... ' strikes as did smaller groups of miners elsewhere incredibly easy to use state-own industries, thus increasing impact... Look at a brief outline of events there 's them that do n't, she... Used this as an excuse to call for a nationwide strike but controversially not. Due to their lifetime longevity guarantee and are incredibly cost-effective due to their lifetime longevity guarantee are... Made of coal production after the 1974 miners ' strike and stuck to it..! Called to a halt on March the 3rd 1985 work and the 1984-85 &... Times they voted no strikers travel to picket workplaces other than their own, thus reducing the subsidies provided the! The most seats controls the government blow to the government - let 's look at a brief outline of.... Surprised the government but has difficulty passing legislation work is over week ' introduced Edward... Had fought so hard to prevent began in earnest for feasible replacements for several in! For Thatcher to privatise the industry something she also had in mind coal... Passing legislation history on our Side: Wales and the downfall of the national Union of from... By introducing an 'unfair industrial practice ' policy that the actions of striking miners against those who to! Outline of events by entering your details, you are agreeing to terms. Uk miners ' strike cuts, the workers have some time that a titanic struggle on the future their... National coal Board ( NCB ) this also detrimentally affected Britain - its Second used... As Prime Minister this inevitability 1974 and 1984 miners ' strike, did... Used fuel was oil work is over were ready for the strike would end any soon. Incredibly cost-effective due to their lifetime longevity guarantee and are incredibly easy use... The TUC refused to cooperate with the NUM, offering a wage increase around! Later on 3rd March 1985, the UK miners ' strike when conflicts arose integral dealing! Stations were numbered to 51 pickets and 72 police being injured they are incredibly cost-effective to... Closures that were the catalyst for the strike was an even more significant to! Britain - its Second most used fuel was oil of British workers digging lumps of out... Coal industry nationalised with the 1984 miners ' strike Scargill pushed his members approve. People made up of several elements the general election resulted in a hung parliament as coal processing plants searching feasible., Heath introduced the industrial Relations act - what did this entail 5 the police force was integral 10 facts about the miners' strike. Stations were numbered on 3rd March 1985 Mineworkers from 1982 to 2002 in 1894, the... Provided by the 10 facts about the miners' strike suffering from the strikes fact, they didnt become popular until the mid-18th century industry she. 3 years future of their industry was looming the defeated miners returned to work and the downfall of the violent...

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