Coal Miner’s Strike

1984-1985

What was the Strike about?

• Margaret Thatcher and her conservative government came into power and wanted to move Britain forward.

• Britain had lots of industries that were not efficient and making money– Shipbuilding– Car manufacturing– Coal Mining

Coal Mining

• Coal Mines generally in the north of England, Scotland and Wales.

• South of England more new industries such as electronics etc

• Very much a split country

• Northern England, Scotland and Wales – Working Class– Traditional Industries

• Southern England– Middle & Upper Class– New Industries

Why did the Miners go on Strike?

• In 1984 the National Coal Board announced that 20 coal mines would close.

• Total Job losses would be in excess of 20,000.

Deeper Problem

• Towns were built round mines

• Main source of employment for the town

• If the Mine closes then the whole town is affected, every business is affected.

The Strike

• Miners worried about possible closures in the area went on strike.

• Thousands of miners went on strike.• On 12 March 1984, Arthur Scargill,

president of the NUM, declared that the strikes in the various coal fields were to be a national strike and called for strike action from NUM members in all coal fields.

• NUM – National Union of Mineworkers

• Over 187,000 miners went on strike

Violence

• Scabs – Workers who do not go on strike with their colleagues.

• When workers go on strike they are not paid.

• Why do you think Scabs would be met with violence and abuse?

• Police clashes were also common as tensions grew between miners and police.

Levels of Solidarity in the 1984-85 strike by area

What was the Strike like for the miners?

• The strike last over a year.• Financially the strike was disastrous for

those involved. They had no income for a full year.

• Commitment to the “COAL NOT DOLE” cause

• Miners had to live on charity for large periods of time.

• Very emotion time

• Food Centres were opened for the miners

• People collected money for the miners.

• Very difficult time for the miners

The end of the strike

• 03/03/1985, the NUM voted 98-91 in favour of a return to work.

• Miners' leader Arthur Scargill says the campaign against job losses will continue - but miners will return to work on Tuesday.

• “We face not an employer but a government aided and abetted by the judiciary, the police and you people in the media”

• Arthur Scargill, NUM