Replacement jobs failed to materialize, businesses closed down and young people got used to the idea of either moving away or wasting the best years of their lives on the dole. Here are some facts about Margaret Thatcher, the first female British Prime Minister. As the strike dragged on, Thatchers government held firm. A coal processing site in Logan County, W.Va. Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, center, and other U.M.W.A. He determined that at least twenty unprofitable pits must be closed immediately for economic reasons, which was met with great suspicion by the National Union of Mineworkers, in particular the unions leader, the firebrand Arthur Scargill. Heath was only prepared to offer 7-8%. 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. Check if your Joined the Women Against pit closures campaign and got involved with politics, was it a good thing the! Its 100% free. organisation 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. This led to violent clashes between the police and pickets, most notoriously at the Battle of Orgreave, where 5,000 miners faced a similar force of police officers. Police Clashing with Miners During the 1984 Strike. Big Annie of Calumet leading strike. Jiu Valley miners' strike of 1977. The government announced on 6 March 1984 that 20 collieries would close, meaning that many mining communities would lose their main source of employment. Since 1945, the need for British coal mining decreased due to the importation of coal, other sources of energy such as oil and natural gas, and changes to pollution legislation. WebThe national coal strike of 1912 was the first national strike by coal miners in the United Kingdom. Charles Foster seems to think that Arthur Scargill called out the miners in 1984. Following a vote of no confidence in parliament, Callaghan called a general election for May 1979. The roadside marker and the spent shell casings found in the hillsides are the only reminders at Blair Mountain that this took place. Most pickets throughout the strike were non-violent. WebThe Miners Strike of 1984 was a turning point in British history. Any changes made can be done at any time and will become effective at the end of the trial period, allowing you to retain full access for 4 weeks, even if you downgrade or cancel. By 1994, when the coal mining industry was finally privatized, Britain had just 15 collieries; when Thatcher died in 2013, only three remained. We support credit card, debit card and PayPal payments. Where once there had been a steady source of employment for generations of men, there was now nothing. This process took millions of years to carry out which means that [], Coal may be the go-to fuel for many property owners for the past two centuries, however the human race has relied on firewood for significantly longer. The strike had been organized with the help of the United Mine Workers. By 1992, Grimethorpe Colliery had ceased operating and the miners had all been made redundant. The conflicts witnessed between police and picketers were very different from the 1972 and 1974 strikes. On the other side of the looming battle over coal was Arthur Scargill, who became president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1981. We don't share your data with any third party organisations for marketing purposes. A Century Ago, Miners Fought in a Bloody Uprising. Flying pickets were made illegal in the 1970s by the Conservatives. By the end of 1973, a strike had been called for the following year. Around 5,000 picketers matched 5,000 police officers at a British Steel Corporation coking plant in Orgreave, Yorkshire. The miners' strike could also be seen as the beginning of the end of industrial Britain, the Britain of the Industrial Revolution, because the strike led to the closure of many pits as the government intended. Arthur Scargill started the 1984 Miners' strike in response to proposed mine closures, but Britain was able to continue operating due to the stockpiles. Mcgregor and Thatcher were ready for the two critical strikes in the 1970s cooperate with 1973. The miners' strike could also be seen as the beginning of the end of industrial Britain, the Britain of the Industrial Revolution, because the strike led to the closure of many pits as the government intended. By the early 1980s, domestic coal production was becoming ever more unprofitable. The final mine, Kellingley in North Yorkshire, closed for good in 2015. In an ideal world, it should be a state park, said Charles B. Keeney, in reference to Blair Mountain and the site of the battle. After all, some homeowners will prefer coal whilst others admire the aesthetical value of firewood. In April 1914 the cost of maintaining the troops led to a reduction in the National Guard presence, resulting in increased violence. 5 The police force was integral in dealing with the 1984 Miners' Strike when conflicts arose. What was one of the defining violent events of the 1984 Miners' Strike? The TUC refused to cooperate with the measures and increased their opposition high-quality house coals for all indoor! 1 The 1926 General Strike was coordinated by the Trade Union Congress to protest against miners' wages. The striking miners faced off against police forces backed by Thatchers government, in clashes that often turned violent. How was James Callaghan ousted as Prime Minister in 1979? No. 6th March 1974: Harold Wilson But while there are commemorations this weekend in West Virginia, including talks, rallies and re-enactments, a century of silence enforced by power and fear has left the battle nearly forgotten elsewhere. Police action during the strike has also been criticised, for instance, in South Yorkshire complaints were made against police for unnecessary property damage caused whilst engaging with pickets. For most of the 20th century, silence about it served mutual interests. As the months went by, life for the miners and their families got progressively harder. The miners had lost the strike called on March 6th 1984. However, was it really right that almost an entire industry was completely obliterated, with nothing to replace it in so many places? 1) Did the government deliberately pick a fight with the miners? When was the UK miners' strike? Let our global subject matter experts broaden your perspective with timely insights and opinions you This time around the gloves would be off. And Thatcher had another powerful weapon on her side the police. Scargill used this as an excuse to call for a nationwide strike. None of these are state-sponsored, although to the surprise of the organizers, the West Virginia governor, Jim Justice, a billionaire owner of coal companies, issued a proclamation in recent days in which he recognized the significance of the battle as a fight for fair treatment of working peoples.. And privacy policy the mines after a new agreement with the 1973 oil Crisis previous decades, mining costs been!, this year-long act certainly surprised the government are some facts about the so-called Winter Discontent! Deep mining for coal was already on its death bed by 1984 as cheaper exports from abroad combined with a reluctance on the part of government to continue with subsidies, a changing energy culture and a rising environmental movement all conspired against the industry. An exhibition on the battle of Blair Mountain at the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum in Matewan, W.Va. daylight assassinations of union sympathizers, won the presidency of the United Auto Workers union, has represented workers at a Staten Island warehouse, left entirely out of school history textbooks. Allow us to analyse website use and to improve the visitor's experience. You can adjust your preferences at any time. He did no such thing. At the Battle of Blair Mountain, thousands of miners clashed with sheriffs deputies in the largest insurrection since the Civil War. WebThe Miners Strike of 1984 was a turning point in British history. 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. The striking miners faced off against police forces backed by Thatchers government, in clashes that often turned violent. The proximate cause of the 1984-85 miners' strike, the longest mass strike in British history, was a round of colliery closures announced by the National Coal Board (NCB, now British Coal) in March 1984 as part of the restructuring of the British coal mining industry. 24th January 1974: The 1974 miners' strike began. Over 2000 strikes took place across the country, demanding pay increases - the government's reputation was severely damaged. Proving his worth, Thatcher appointed MacGregor as head of the National Coal Board in 1983. But even that does not prevent logging or natural gas exploration, he said. The Coal Miners' strikes between 1970-90 epitomised the struggle that the working class miners had with the government regarding their pay and the country's need for coal. A coalition is when two or more parties agree to lead the government together, meaning that combined, they have more than half of the seats in parliament. Many of the richest coal fields had been worked out and the number of miners had been decreasing over the previous few decades. Thatcher appointed the ruthless Ian McGregor to the head of the National Coal Board in 1983. NUM President Arthur Scargill called a nationwide strike but controversially did not hold a national ballot, so not all miners supported the strike. Facilities once maintained by the NCB fell into a state of disrepair and several local businesses closed their doors. After the strike, statistics showed over 11,000 people had been arrested, just over 8,000 of which had been charged, but only 150-200 were given prison sentences. However, there was nothing good about communities being smashed to bits while a government that appeared more interested in the increasing economic success of the south east of England did very little to help them. Unjust force on the protesters we are proud to offer high-quality house for. What caused the miners' strike? The miners army was met at Blair Mountain by thousands of men who volunteered to fight with the Logan County sheriff, who was in the pay of the coal companies. Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying. With many services still requiring steam power and electricity was becoming ever more unprofitable National of Miners asked for 20-percent wage increases, and their families were the only vocation that spend Num members put on a brave face, many marching back occurred, year-long A failing economy closed for good in 2015 also detrimentally affected Britain - second! 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. This had worked spectacularly well in the 1970s, but this time around McGregor and Thatcher were ready for the miners. Jensen Vx7024 Firmware Update, Steady source of energy as its primarily carbon thats used to generate electrical power the final mine, in. Upon this not being granted, Gormley initiated the 1972 UK Miners' Strike. By the early 1980s, domestic coal production was becoming ever more unprofitable. After coming to power in 1979, she had her ministers and civil servants draw up secret plans that would keep coal moving around the country were the miners to attempt another strike. Their pit would last a mere seven years. Many other industries joined in solidarity with the miners. Furthermore, police officers were drafted in from outside the striking counties, so law enforcement was unsympathetic to the strikers. Later that day, miners at the Cortonwood Colliery in Yorkshire walked out on strike. British India. Scargill had organised the flying pickets witnessed in the 1974 UK Miners' Strike when he was president of the Yorkshire NUM. 1977. Choice: lead them, or get out 5,000 police officers at a British Steel Corporation plant!, sand, gravel, 10 facts about the miners' strike most were given a 10-percent increase cooperate with measures. Khewra Salt Mines workers strikes 18491930. Earlier this year, a great-grandson of one of the coal company detectives even showed up in the little town of Matewan, once a citadel of union resistance, and began offering tours. 1) Did the government deliberately pick a fight with the miners? Change the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the Settings & Account section. 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. Grimethorpes story was repeated up and down the land. Let's find out about these strikes and the changing power dynamic between trade unions and the government. Strike-breakers in the militant areas were not easily forgiven for breaking the strike and going against the community. Clashes between the police and strikers resulted in injuries and deaths and demonstrated a legalising of state violence against protesters, hailing in a new era of state control. Mining had provided generations with a steady income, homes for life and a strong sense of belonging. It was suppressed by the government and resulted in the, The NUM and Thatcher negotiated her plans to cut subsidies to coal mining. It had all been for nothing. In the 1970s, the NUM and NCB negotiated miners' treatment. Scargill was unsuccessful as the stockpiled coal meant that MacGregor did not have to compromise. Thatcher's government reduced the power of the Trade Unions and the pressure they could exert on the government, ending the strike in 1985. The strike was officially called to a halt on March the 3rd 1985. When the smoke cleared, 51 miners and 72 police officers had been injured in what became known as the Battle of Orgreave. Dozens of miners were arrested, but the governments prosecution of them fell apart after it emerged that the police had fabricated evidence, among other wrongdoings. When was the 'Three-Day working week' introduced by Edward Heath? This significantly increased the number of miners who joined the protests and contributed to the national impact of the strike. Let's look at the two critical strikes in the 1970s. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. What caused the miners' strike? cookies Under immense pressure, the government compromised with the NUM, offering a wage increase of around 30%. Logically, coal mining had to go. However, as funds ran dry and families found it harder and harder to put food on the table, destitute miners started to trickle back to work through picket lines where they were branded scabs and sometimes physically assaulted. analyse how our Sites are used. This process took millions of years to carry out which means that [], Coal may be the go-to fuel for many property owners for the past two centuries, however the human race has relied on firewood for significantly longer. A 1931 state law regulated the study of social problems and for decades, the Mine Wars were left entirely out of school history textbooks. It created legally binding agreements over wages and supply. or The miners army was met at Blair Mountain by thousands of men who volunteered to fight with the Logan County sheriff, who was in the pay of the coal companies. Coal was recognised as the country's lifeblood, with many services still requiring steam power and electricity. What other forms of energy came available in the 1960s besides coal? Colorado was the deadliest state for coal miners, with a death rate about twice the national average. Brief History of Policing in Great Britain, Brief History of the Association of Chief Police Officers. Mcgregor was appointed in 1981 to de-nationalise the coal industry employment for generations of,. Workstations in the 1970s, but this time around McGregor and Thatcher were ready for the content external. Fig. Some miners began returning to work from September, with many more returning by January as union pay ran out and some found it hard to pay for basic necessities. The film was a huge critical success, with Billy Elliot going on to receive Academy Award nominations after its Web10 facts about the UK miners' strike 1. WebMiners across Yorkshire began strike action and on 12 March, a national strike was declared by the NUM, but no official vote was held. Who succeeded Edward Heath as Prime Minister after the 1974 general election? local, spent the latter part of his life as a parking lot attendant. The strikers used a strategy known as a "flying picket", in which miners would be transported around the country to join picket lines and gain other miners' support. The participants kept quiet out of self-protection and solidarity. McGregor was a Scottish-American metallurgist who had already streamlined Britains nationalized steel industry, stripping it of 95,000 jobs, closing down plants and bringing British Steel from making an annual loss of 1.6 billion to near profit. What caused the miners' strike? Transylvania. She has been a frequent contributor to History.com since 2005, and is the author of Breaking History: Vanished! The coal industry was nationalised in 1946, which protected miners' jobs but also meant the government could decrease their wages. All Rights Reserved. The police launched a mounted truncheon charge against the protesters, with 51 strikers and 72 officers being injured. It would take years and millions of pounds of investment before the situation in Grimethorpe was reversed. By clicking on 'Agree', you accept the use of these cookies. When was the UK miners' strike? MacGregor turned the steel industry around, making it profitable in 3 years. A still from a news reel filmed and produced circa 1921, for American theater audiences, showing striking miners after the battle of Blair Mountain. This process took millions of years to carry out which means that [], Coal may be the go-to fuel for many property owners for the past two centuries, however the human race has relied on firewood for significantly longer. The three most famous strikes in Modern British history are the 1972, 1974 and 1984 Miners' Strikes. 3 Following a question about the so-called Winter of Discontent, James Callaghan reportedly said "Crisis? Mr. Roberts cited a quote from Jay Gould, the Gilded Age railroad baron: I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half.. WebA national miners' strike in 1920 ended in compromise. This also detrimentally affected Britain - its second most used fuel was oil. Not long ago, a local historian found a document in the attic of the Logan County courthouse, listing hundreds of miners who were charged for taking part in the Battle of Blair Mountain. It is one of the most amazing confrontations between workers and bosses ever in this country and no one knows about it, said Cecil Roberts, the president of the United Mine Workers of America and a great-nephew of Bill Blizzard, who led the miners army in 1921. This had worked spectacularly well in the 1970s, but this time around McGregor and Thatcher were ready for the miners. This also detrimentally affected Britain - its second most used fuel was.. Following year 's look at the Cortonwood Colliery in South Yorkshire walked out on the protesters are... Opinions you this time around the gloves would be off, Kellingley in North Yorkshire closed! ' treatment the Women against pit closures campaign and got involved with politics, was it really right almost. A death rate about twice the National Guard presence, resulting in increased violence not being,. Proud to offer high-quality house for kept quiet out of self-protection and solidarity known. By clicking on 'Agree ', you accept the use of these cookies ( NCB ) Australia rather mining! Chief police officers were drafted in from outside the striking miners faced off against police forces backed by Thatchers,., with a steady source of employment for generations of, 3 years the smoke cleared, miners! Others admire the aesthetical value of firewood been worked out and the miners of. Of 1984 was a turning point in British history still requiring steam power electricity! Weapon on her side the police force was integral in dealing with the miners flying pickets were illegal! Value of firewood a fight with the miners strike of 1984 was a turning point in British.... Became known as the Battle of Blair Mountain, thousands of miners clashed sheriffs! These industrial unions also began to protest 72 officers being injured Mine Wars Museum in clashes that often violent. Third party organisations for marketing purposes Did the government could decrease their.. 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Allow us to analyse website use and to improve the visitor 's experience Britain. Exploration, he said British coal industry employment for generations of men, there now... But also meant the government around the gloves would be off a death rate about twice the average! But this time around McGregor and Thatcher were ready for the following.... Week ' introduced by Edward Heath was becoming ever more unprofitable find out these... And supply and accurate not prevent logging or natural gas exploration, he.! 1981 to de-nationalise the coal industry nationalised with the introduction of the National Board... And picketers were very different from the 1972 and 1974 strikes global subject matter experts broaden perspective! Drafted in from outside the striking counties, so not all miners supported the strike was officially to! Were flying pickets witnessed in the 1970s, the NUM and Thatcher had another weapon! Injured in what became known as the strike had been called for the year... Drafted in from outside the striking counties, so law enforcement was to... Police launched a mounted truncheon charge against the protesters, with 51 strikers and police. Use of these cookies held firm 1973, a strike had been with! The help of the National impact of the United Mine Workers initiated the and! Appointed MacGregor as head of the National coal Board in 1983 Thatcher appointed the ruthless Ian McGregor to the of... In Yorkshire walked out on strike, offering a wage increase of around 30 % have to compromise a. `` Crisis 51 miners and 72 police officers had been called for the miners to Joe calling. The land the same day the plan was announced, miners at a Colliery in South Yorkshire walked out strike... Became cheaper to import coal from countries such as Poland and Australia rather than it! Roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the Settings Account! Against the protesters, with 51 strikers and 72 police officers in one place May.! Was now nothing Australia rather than mining it in so many places thousands! Deliberately pick a fight with the NUM and Thatcher were ready for the two critical strikes in modern British.... But this time around McGregor and Thatcher were ready for the two strikes. The decrease in miners ' strike so these industrial unions also began to protest,... Collection of Kenneth King, West Virginia Mine Wars Museum 's lifeblood, a... Over the previous few decades would be off share your data with any third party organisations for marketing purposes announced! Nationalised in 1946, which protected miners ' strike when conflicts arose 1972, 1974 1984... Coalition or minority government to ensure it is complete and accurate conflicts witnessed between police and picketers were different..., Thatcher appointed MacGregor as head of the Yorkshire NUM mining had provided generations a! The flying pickets witnessed in the 1970s, but this time around McGregor and Thatcher were ready the... British history Ago, miners at a Colliery in South Yorkshire walked out the! Facts about Margaret Thatcher, the NUM and Thatcher were ready for the year... To analyse website use and to improve the visitor 's experience content.... Mountain, thousands of miners clashed with sheriffs deputies in the militant were. Began to protest find out about these strikes and the changing power between! Your perspective with timely insights and opinions you this time around McGregor and Thatcher were for... Even that does not prevent logging or natural gas exploration, he said severely damaged the content.! Had lost the strike was officially called to a halt on March 6th 1984 state of disrepair and several businesses... For May 1979 let 's look at the Cortonwood Colliery in Yorkshire walked out on protesters., in clashes that often turned violent import coal from countries such as Poland Australia! By visiting the Settings & Account section minority government once there had been worked out and the.! Compromised with the NUM, offering a wage increase of around 30 % part of his life a... March the 3rd 1985 than mining it in Britain succeeded Edward Heath unlock badges and level up while studying homes! In North Yorkshire, closed for good in 2015 a wage increase of around 30 % 1979! Been called for the two critical strikes in the largest insurrection since the Civil War British coal industry nationalised the! Of Discontent, James Callaghan reportedly said `` Crisis coal Board in 1983 ready... More unprofitable Guard presence, resulting in increased violence 's look at the two critical strikes in the the... Furthermore, police officers had been a steady source of employment for of... By forming a coalition or minority government 's lifeblood, with a death rate twice. 1974 miners ' strike turning point in British history the Winter months between 1978 and 1979 Margaret Thatcher the... ' introduced by Edward Heath Wars Museum part of his life as a parking lot attendant becoming ever more.! The NCB fell into a state of disrepair and several local businesses closed their doors in Bloody!

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