10 facts about the miners' strike

What became known as the Tonypandy riots [1] of 1910 and 1911 (sometimes collectively . Although it was Miners' Federation policy to fully co-operate until the end of the war, coal output declined steadily from 12 million tons in 1942, to 11 million in 1943, 11 million in 1944, and just over 10 million tons in 1945. Only three working collieries remain in the UK today. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of theTerms and Conditions. The miners' strike was an attempt by the miners and unions to prevent the closure of 20 collieries across the UK. if each line had e.g. In 1971, Heath introduced the Industrial Relations Act - what did this entail? 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 . Railway Road, Marple During the Houghton County copper strike in 1913 the National Guard was called into action in the early stages to maintain peace. Eight deaths were attributed to the strike, including picketers, workers, and a taxi driver. She studied chemistry at university and then she became a barrister, passing the bar exam in 1953. After all, thousands of jobs in the UK relied on this job and although mines arent as active in 2019 as they once were, it is safe to say that our coal supply isnt going to extract itself. In the Tuscarawas Valley, the labor action lasted six months, and in the Mahoning Valley four and a half months, but the walkouts failed. Rolling blackouts, coal shortages, and severe transport disruption were the unfortunate side effects that had played a large part in Thatchers Conservative government coming to power in early 1979. In 1978, a strike led by the private trade union of Ford manufacturers achieved a 17% wage increase. The nationwide strike was a last attempt by the mining unions to save the industry after the National Coal Board announced 20 pits in England would have to close with the loss of 20,000 jobs. After 1945, Britain entered a period of economic hardship. Pullman Strike, (May 11, 1894-c. July 20, 1894), in U.S. history, widespread railroad strike and boycott that severely disrupted rail traffic in the Midwest of the United States in June-July 1894. The NUMs strategy for thwarting McGregors plan was simple. After all, more and more households are choosing to invest in a stove in order to safely burn their chosen fuel for a competitively affordable price. Police from outside affected counties were bussed in to prevent picketing and strike action, and to ensure no disruption to supply lines. Coal was recognised as the country's lifeblood, with many services still requiring steam power and electricity. With this said, it is important that customers invest in logs that have been seasoned in order [], It is important that homeowners understand why chimney sweeping is an essential component in the burning of carbon-based fuels like coal and firewood. [Google Scholar], History on our Side: Wales and the 1984-85 Miners' Strike; Bruley Bruley, Sue. With this said, the demand for charcoal as a residential fuel appears to be more prominent than ever. The three-day working week came into force on 1st January 1974, affecting many businesses. This is mainly because disputes in this group tend to be large. 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. Although, the workers have some time to sleep after work is over. Of the 31 Notts branches, not a single one had a majority in favour of strike action. The police launched a mounted truncheon charge against the protesters, with 51 strikers and 72 officers being injured. Life for the residents of Grimethorpe got worse following the closure. Create beautiful notes faster than ever before. Very quickly, therefore, the strike became a trial of strength between two exceptionally abrasive public figures. Striking miners lined the streets leading to pits in an attempt to stop their colleagues from going to work and, as tensions rose, a 24-year-old picket from Wakefield, David Jones, died hours after being hit by a brick in the Nottinghamshire town of Ollerton. From an economic and ecological point of view, the answer is yes. This law proved to be a highly effective aspect of the government's handling of the 1984/5 strike as it made life extremely difficult for the miners and their families, contributing to the eventual return to work. December 1973: Due to a severe lack of fuel, Edward Heath announced that most commercial and industrial establishments could only use electricity three days a week. 24th January 1974: The 1974 miners' strike began. 10 facts about the UK miners' strike. Thanks, in part, to the governments stockpiling of coal before the strikes, disruption to the wider public was kept to a minimum. Of the 10 facts about child miners in the world, gold mining deserves a special mention as it exposes children to mercury-poisoning, which is extremely likely due to the nature of gold extraction. 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. Since Scargill had been so public about his enthusiasm for confrontation, ministers had been building up coal stocks for years. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)-represented miners at Warrior Met Coal had called a strike on April 1, citing alleged unfair labor practices and bad faith bargaining by the company; on . A general strike is when a group of workers from different industries all stop work in support of each other to win certain demands. Who succeeded Edward Heath as Prime Minister after the 1974 general election? preferred parking dodger stadium. 5 West Midlands Police in 1984 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Day_147_-_West_Midlands_Police_-_Miner%27s_strikes_-_1984_(14495625275).jpg) by West Midlands Police (https://www.flickr.com/people/61718807@N07) licensed by CC BY SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en). "I didn't know them from Adam; it was frightening. So, was it a good thing that the miners lost? document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Police reports mention that the miners began the conflict by throwing stones and other projectiles at the police, but miners have since refuted this. Best study tips and tricks for your exams. One aspect that people sometimes fail to take into consideration is checking whether their home falls in [], If you have a wood burning stove then you are going to need a good supply of firewood to keep warm throughout the colder months. But this time was different. NUM President Arthur Scargill called a nationwide strike but controversially did not hold a national ballot, so not all miners supported the strike. This would often end in violent clashes with police. After all, bituminous coal is thought to be the most popular residential fuel [], As a fossil fuel, our supplies of coal are limited and this means that we will eventually run out. The conflicts witnessed between police and picketers were very different from the 1972 and 1974 strikes. The 1956 Clean Air Act restricted coal burning in fireplaces in favour of cleaner fuels, leading to a decline in demand. The government was offering only 5% to employees of nationalised industries, so these industrial unions also began to protest. In 1972 and 1974, strikes shut down every coal mine in Britain, and a combination of solidarity strikes by the steel and railway unions and targeted picketing of coking works, ports and industrial sites brought the country to a standstill. Read on [], There is nothing more aesthetically pleasing that the crackling sound that an authentic woodburning fire makes, and it can really make a cosy night in front of the TV all the more special. 750 pounds of zinc. An association of workers in a trade or profession which works to protect, and advance, their rights and interests, Moving aspects of the economy from private to government control, Selling nationalised industries to private buyers and investors, would give the Conservatives a more significant majority and give him more influence in negotiations. 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. It had all been for nothing. Primary Union Involved in Strike: American Railway Union. Here are ten facts about the UK miners' strike and how it changed the history of industrial action in the country. There was little point in delaying the inevitable. The days of British workers digging lumps of coal out of the ground to burn in power stations were numbered. Many industries took part alongside the miners. 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. When a walkout at Cortonwood Colliery in South Yorkshire occurred on the 6th of March 1984, the Yorkshire branch of the NUM sanctioned a strike across the county. Read on as the team here at Pearson Fuels go over a few interesting facts about the strike that grabbed headlines during the 80s. After all, they are incredibly cost-effective due to their lifetime longevity guarantee and are incredibly easy to use. Heath promised a new style of government to strengthen the economy after Wilson's poor management. As the strike in 1984 was ruled illegal, it deeply divided public opinion. Scargill refused to entertain the idea of any pit closures save for those that posed safety risks. By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. The origins of the strike lay in the gradual rundown of the British coal industry, with the workforce falling from a peak of more than 1 million between the world wars to barely 200,000 at the start of the 1980s. During much of 1984, Britain was hit by some of the worst industrial action the country has ever seen, as the National Union of Mineworkers downed tools and upped pickets to resist planned cuts to . So who was the greater fool? Let's find out about these strikes and the changing power dynamic between trade unions and the government. 1500 pounds of aluminum. After all, some homeowners will prefer coal whilst others admire the aesthetical value of firewood. There are several factors [], Kiln dried logs are a very popular solid fuel. Stockport 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. 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. This would bring the country to a halt and make it very hard for the Government to resist giving in to their demands. On this day in Labor History the year was 1912. Today fewer and fewer remember March 1984 - and many that do might wish to forget it - but the tensions the strike created are often only just below the surface. Safety In England there are an average of 7,700 chimney fires [], Creating a cosy fire in the winter to warm up the room and to help you unwind and relax is one of the best feelings. Let's look at the two critical strikes in the 1970s. What did Nigel Lawson, Secretary of State for Energy, suggest that aided the government's response to the 1984 Miners' Strike. Mines were the beating hearts of communities stretching from Scotland to Kent. On 2 May, the Times reported 7000-8000 workers at one strike meeting. So right from the start, the dispute was marked by intense bitterness and violent confrontations between striking and working miners. In the 1970s, the police had treated the miners with kid gloves. The strike was led by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) against the National Coal Board. Because of wood shortages in the 1600s, Brewers in England started drying their Malts with heat generated by coal. There, intimidating flying pickets closed the coke depot in pursuit of a 43% rise for miners, setting in train the eventual fall of Edward Heaths government, writes Charles Foster (Letters, 9May). Neither he, nor anybody else called out the miners, writes David Rainbird. Chess gets a risqu makeover. Although there was clearly violence on both sides, miners leaders often complained that the press exaggerated strikers violence while ignoring the abuses of the police. Blackout: The Three-Day Week - the UK's original energy crisis, The 7 longest serving British Prime Ministers, Winters of discontent: 6 of the worst winters in British history, Blood feud: 4 conflicts between royal siblings, The Tyburn Tree: London's premier execution spot, The real-life women who inspired WW2 screen heroines, 7 reasons Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition failed, The Reluctant King: The life of King George VI, Yorkshire's Nostradamus: The life and prophecies of Mother Shipton. It was the first time since 1926 that British miners had been on official strike, but there had been a . But the public vote went against him resulting in victory for the Labour Party. With coal stocks high, the miners divided and public opinion firmly against the strike, he was always facing an uphill struggle. Grimethorpes story was repeated up and down the land. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-1899 was the largest gold strike in Canadian history. Pearson Fuels Marple Ltd 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. In the first half of the 20th century the UK had more than 1,000 collieries - but by . Many years ago, the mining industry played an integral part in the economy of the country and the cities within it. Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying. This act ultimately failed as the TUC refused to cooperate with the measures and increased their opposition. The defeated miners returned to work and the pit closures would go ahead. Arthur Scargill started the 1984 Miners' strike in response to proposed mine closures, but Britain was able to continue operating due to the stockpiles. At the end of 1981, the miners elected a new leader in the hard-left Yorkshireman Arthur Scargill, who made no secret of his eagerness for a confrontation with the government. Following an announcement to close 20 coal pits and reduce national capacity by at least 4 million tonnes, a protest was called by a man named Arthur Scargill, the president of the National Union of Mineworkers. McGregor's approach to the mining industry was the same as it had been towards steel - close unprofitable pits and drastically reduce the workforce. The nationwide strike was a last attempt by the mining unions to save the industry after the National Coal Board announced 20 pits in England would have to close with the loss of 20,000 jobs. The strike began on 9 January 1972 and ended on 28 February 1972, when the miners returned to work. The Pullman Strike took place in 1894, during the months of May to July, when . In fact, the strike is considered the longest industrial dispute regarding mining closures to this day and has paved the way for a more efficient mining industry. 1975: The 35% wage increase was instituted. Between March 1984 and March 1985, more than half the country's 187,000 miners left work in what was the biggest industrial dispute in post-war Britain. They would lose a lot more in the years to come. She became a Member of Parliament for Finchley in 1959, became leader of the . 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. After all, it is a renewable fuel that is available in abundance. The most recent, Who Dares Wins (Allen Lane, 2019), covers the early 1980s, including the first Thatcher administration, the Falklands War, and the New Romantics. One of Thatcher's key aims was to limit the role of government so that Britons changed from "dependent" to "self-reliant". 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. To this day both sides have their impassioned partisans. Over the previous decades, mining costs had been on the rise while the demand for coal had started to fall. Investing in a quality stove is important to provide an efficient fire that is going to help save you money in the long run, but if you decide to [], If you want a coal-burning fireplace in your UK home you will need to source smokeless coal as your choice of fuel. After all, there are several characteristics that this variety of the fossil fuel is known for that just cannot be obtained by alternatives like bituminous coal. 00:00, 12 MAR 2009. [CDATA[// >