It has a railway station on the Wakefield Line, providing it with connections to Leeds, Wakefield, Doncaster and Sheffield. Dec. 20 -- Nottinghamshire miners vote to defy union rules. Aug. 23 -- Second national dock strike called. The full force of the police, the courts and the media were mobilised to defeat the miners, culminating with the battle of Orgreave on 18 June 1984. Mr. Canavan asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what criteria are used in deciding whether to charge pickets in an industrial dispute; and whether any special instructions or guidelines have been issued by the Crown Office to the police or procurators fiscal. The 1984-85 British Miners' Strike saw the formation of 'Women Against Pit Closures' groups, organising not only strike-oriented activities, support and community needs provision, but who also came to act autonomously as women's groups around gendered interests. Ministerial Group on Coal minutes[17]. The courts have recognised that the police may limit the number of pickets in any one place where they have reasonable cause to fear a breach of the peace. 12 March Miners National Union of Mineworkers ( NUM) President Arthur Scargill unites various strikes into nationwide industrial action, without a ballot [13]. [33], Throughout the dispute the Scottish police have maintained their low profile tactics deploying only the minimum number of officers to enable working miners to go to their place of work. . The matter was widely discussed in the press during the years' strike, and after. Thatcher was soon dubbed the Iron Lady due to her rigid stance against the unions and strikers. The main difference between the police operation in Scotland and that in England and Wales has been the absence of any mutual aid and, therefore, the absence of any requirement for day-to-day coordination on the model of the (England and Wales) National Reporting Centre." Sept. 9 -- Secret peace talks collapse again. Subscribe to our emails to be the first to hear about new shows and casting announcements. 1984. The US president also shared a post on Twitter accusing Dr Anthony Fauci of misleading the public over hydroxychloroquine. The stakes for the main parties were so high that the price each was willing to pay, the loss each was willing to sustain, exceeded . The Democratic presidential candidate may also have shown his cards on his choice of running mate. 19 July Thatcher refers to the striking miners as the enemy within and says that giving in to them would be surrendering the rule of parliamentary democracy to the rule of the mob. An unsuccessful court action could be a serious setback to efforts to withstand the strike. BOX OFFICE: 020 7722 9301, 2022 Hampstead Theatre| Registered Charity no: 218506. The lessons of the miners' strike - and its defeat - are of great significance to the future of the workers' movement, and deserve thorough study. A national ballot of NUM members saw strike action rejected. Over 60 million was raised for the miners, according to the Guardian newspaper. The son of a communist miner, he has kept its memory alive at the Shirebrook Miners' Welfare Social Club, founded in 1920. "The range of criminal offences available to deal with objectionable conduct in the course of industrial picketing is substantial and is considered to be sufficient. by aneurin. 81 pits are out but 83 work normally. Gentleman an undertaking that the matter would be brought to court as quickly as possible, as indeed it was. November - A growing number of miners decide to return to work as Christmas looms. Miners' Strike timeline. ", "Policing in Scotland. "..I suggest that we should go ahead now with setting up a Ministerial Group [the Cabinet Ministerial Group on Coal ("CMGC") in the MISC series to consider all aspects of the situation which may be of concern to Ministers: industrial relations, law and order, power station endurance, the effect on the economy, the scope for mitigating action by the Government, and the handling of the media. --Nev - selbert 13:43, 26 March 2017 (UTC) Reply . Some 136,000 of Britain's 175,000 miners now on strike. March 3 -- Special delegate conference votes to end strike. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Mar 6, 1984. Margaret Thatcher had gained significant popularity following British victory in the Falklands War. In south Wales, although the statistic fluctuated over time, once the strike was established the support remained at 100% until November 1984. The Thatcher government had prepared against a repeat of the effective 1974 strike by stockpiling coal, converting power station to burn heavy fuel oil and recruiting road hauliers to transport coal. He should establish in particular whether Scottish Chief Constables were willing as a matter of policy to take action similar to that in England to prevent pickets from going to the scene of possible disturbances[21]. Nov. 19 -- Back to work move accelerates. Available: https://www.totallytimelines.com/uk-miners-strike-1984-1985/ Last accessed October 14th, 2022. 1947 Coal mining nationalised by Clement Atlees Labour government. Photograph shows a coal gleaning miner carrying a sack of gleaned coal home during the 1984-85 NUM strike. Locals also played host to miners who came to Lancaster to picket the neighbouring . 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. Feb. 20 -- Miners reject peace plan by trades unionleaders and government. A coal strike in 1974 had brought down Ted Heath's Conservative government. A bus-load of 42 pickets was proceeding from Hunterston to Ravenscraig following a convoy of coal lorries. Battle of Orgreave Aug 28, 1984. March 12 1984 - National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) chief Arthur Scargill unites various strikes into nationwide industrial action, without a ballot. Chief constables are, as you know very sensitive about the impression, which the Opposition are attempting to foster, that they are taking political sides, and are indeed subject to Ministerial direction.". Labour's leader then, Neil (now Lord) Kinnock, did absolutely nothing to assist the miners in their titanic 1984/85 struggle to defend their jobs and communities. The strike was a last, desperate attempt to thwart Thatcher's pit closure programme. For more details of these cookies and how to disable them, 8 coaches carrying miners were stopped at Stepps en route to Hunterston (see above under 'Miners')[26]. He was succeeded by James Callaghan. 25th March 2013. The defeat saw a major reduction political power of the NUM and trade unions in general in the UK. There were just 15 coal mines remaining. More from National Union of Mineworkers Timeline. 12 March UK Government It was a legal requirement for a national ballot to be held prior to strike action and, although many miners supported the strike, there were others who did not. At the height of the dispute more than 150,000 miners went on strike and brought much of the nation . May 23 - First talks break down. A national ballot of NUM members saw strike action over the closures rejected. Taxi driver David Wilkie was killed. It was announced that Cortonwood Colliery would be closed. Oct. 16 -- Pit supervisors vote to strike Oct. 25. 82 arrests, 62 people injured in clashes at Orgreave. 1900: British Labour Party is founded. Miners from those pits that had not voted to strike now joined the strike action. November A growing number of miners decide to return to work as Christmas looms. The reduction in demand for coal led to some coal mines being closed. Government Officials' memo[23]. June 18 - The battle of Orgreave - 5,000 riot police took on 5,000 protestors, who pelted officers with bricks and stones. March 16 -- Government dispatches 3,000 extra police to the Midlands. Union moderates call for a strike ballot. 132 pits shut. The British Miners Strike of 1984-1985 was either an historic struggle between workers defending their jobs and communities against a ruthless right wing government, or a Marxist inspired attempt to subvert the democratic process frustrated by a resolute government acting in defence of freedom. The year-long strike that followed changed the political, economic and social history of Wales forever. The miners' strike of 1984-1985 was a major industrial action within the British coal industry in an attempt to prevent colliery closures. The Gu https://t.co/lw48rnfXwb, We are excited to watch @djhenshall on ITV @thismorning discussing #HTMary Tune in at 10.25 today to learn more o https://t.co/lxVadJ0XHA, What is next in November for #CommunityCreates? 18. 12 March 2014 at 1:57am Timeline of the 1984-85 miners' strike March 12 1984 - National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) chief Arthur Scargill unites various strikes into nationwide industrial. LOOKING BACK ON MINERS' LOST YEAR On 29 March 2014 I was in the audience of this conference. May 25 -- Mass picketing of Orgreave coking plant. The loan was granted on condition that the government made cuts to public spending. June 12 -- Cost of policing is estimated at 65 million pounds. Timeline of the 198485 miners' strike 1984 21 February 1984 Miners Official strike starts at Polmaise [12]. It was led by Arthur Scargill of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) against the National Coal Board (NCB), a government agency. The NCB closed them one at a time over a period of three years and minimised the effect on miners by transferring some workers to other pits that were still operating. 8 coaches were stopped at Stepps en route to Hunterston. Letter from Secretary of State for Scotland, George Younger, to Chief Constables of Scottish police, "In carrying out their role of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of those who wished to work, often in the face of violence, they have, once again, demonstrated their skill and efficiency and reminded us of how much we depend upon the police for the maintenance of freedom and order." This thematic account of responses from women in mining families, from the Labour Party and from communities, in Durham County, to the 1984-85 miners' strike, firmly separates mythology about the strike, generated both inside and outside the coalfield, from what actually happened. 1974 A strike plays a major role in bringing down Edward Heaths government . This may involve not only asking some of those present to leave but also preventing others from joining the pickets" "..code of practice issued under the Employment Act 1980in general the number of pickets should not exceed six at any entrance to a workplace" "Any person who fails to comply with a police request in those circumstances [where constable reasonably comes to the conclusion that persons are travelling for the purpose of taking part in a picket] will be committing the offence of obstructing a police officer in the course of his duty[15]". Women Against Pit Closures held a protest march in London. They were dug out but Paul and Darren Holmes and Paul Womersley died before they reached hospital. Violence on the picket lines becomes more widespread. Ambulance men issued with riot helmets and shields. Over 5,600 stood trial and more than 100 were jailed, although 1,504 were released without charge. Miners in Yorkshire and Kent were the first to down tools this morning - by tonight they had been joined by . The protestors included many men and women who had come down from Scotland. Teenagers Paul Holmes, Darren Holmes, Paul Wormersley and Jim Rawson, sons of striking miners, decided to raise some money for Christmas by digging for coal and selling it locally. The 1984 miners' strike was the most bitter industrial dispute in British history. 1985 Jan. 10 -- Union votes to expel Nottinghamshire. This is how the local newspaper The East Lothian News summed up its reporting as the miners went back to work. LONDON -- Following is a chronology of events in Britain's miners strike, the longest major labor dispute in the nation's history: --- 1984 March 6 -- State-run National Coal Board announces plans to cut coal output by 4 million tons to stem annual loss of $340 million a year. Ian MacGregor was appointed Head of the National Coal Board. Nov. 30 -- Taxi driver killed taking miner to work in South Wales. May 30 -- Scargill arrested on Orgreave picket line. UK miners' strike (1984-85) UK miners' strike; UK miners' strike - This move request derives from a malformed one at Talk:UK miners' strike#Requested move 21 March 2017. July 5 -- Union, Coal Board officials meet for peace talks. RMM42H39 - Fitzwilliam Main, Colliery in West Yorshire in the winter of 1985 during the miners strike. Your cookie preferences have been saved. Today I'm going to talk about the miners' strike of 1984-5. The Miners' Strike of 1984-1985 was an attempt by miners to stop the National Coal Board (NCB) and the government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher shutting down collieries (mines). By esbonvouloir. March 10 -- Durham and Kent coalfields join strike. We use cookies (sadly inedible) to improve how our site works. Workers at the pit walked out in protest. There were exceptions, but the generalisation as a whole was, unfortunately, to stand. All teacher-made, aligned with the Australian Curriculum. "The main burden in the handling of the dispute continued to fall on the police. Commentary From The Cedar Lounge Revolution. Joe Green, a miner on the picket line at Kellingley colliery, Yorkshire, was killed when a lorry mounted the pavement to enter the pit and ran him down. Strikes began and NUM President, Arthur Scargill used flying pickets (miners from other areas to increase numbers on picket lines) to stop those who wanted to work (strike breakers or Scabs) from entering the pits. They will be showing similar flexibility in responding to any new threat to the rule of law." The Minister of State for the Armed Forces had replied that no such preparations had been made." Letter from STUC to Mr Wheeler, NCB "your decision to treat all Scottish miners convicted in Courts as being guilty of serious industrial misconduct. Leader of the party, Margaret Thatcher became Britains first female Prime Minister. Wilson called another election to try to gain a majority in the House of Commons. The coal industry was privatised. Scargill Declares National Strike Jun 18, 1984. This accords with the Code of Practice in Picketing.[34]". Pit Closures Announced Mar 12, 1984. July 31 -- South Wales miners assets seized and fined $55,000 for contempt of court over picketing. March 12 -- Strike nationwide. A large concrete block was dropped onto a taxi carrying two strike breakers to work. Wonderland: A timeline of the 1984/5 Miners' Strike, Wonderland Director announces exciting new staging plans, Video: Writer and Director introduce Wonderland. Dec. 25 -- Striking miners celebrate Christmas despite nine months without pay. Riot in Easington in Durham Sep 21, 1984. July 9 -- National dock strike over movement of coal. Key Players . 18 June Battle of Orgreave takes place at the Orgreave Coking plant near Rotherham. The miners went on strike from March 1984 to March 1985. By using this site, you agree we can set and use cookies. Thousands of miners were arrested, fined, imprisoned or sacked, some never to work again. Home secretary makes a speech: "The police will be given all the backing they need to deal with these various forms of lawlessness. -- The 1984-85 Miners' Strike After a period of relative stability in the Second World War and the early post-war period, the British coal industry (nationalised in 1947) underwent a massive contraction from 700,000 employed in 1957 to 300,000 by 1970, as alternative fuels were used to produce energy. This is the final report from the independent review that was commissioned to investigate and report on the impact on communities in Scotland on the policing of the miners' strike 1984 to 1985. This article critically reassesses the predominant argument that the 1984-5 miners' strike was inevitably doomed, and examines the potential for alternative courses of action and a different outcome. The Miners' Strike 1984-85. "Any comment made as a result of current press speculation about the possible use of servicemen to move pithead coal stocks should be based on a written answer given on 9 April to a question by Mr Nellist about whether the Ministry of Defence had "made specific preparations for military aid to the civil power in connection with the current dispute in the coal mining industry". The incident caused widespread shock and many thought the action was a step too far. Throughout the 1984 miners' strike, Workers Power has fought for the TUC to call a general strike. Oct. 24 -- Supervisors strike called off. 98 to 91 decide to end the strike in March 1985, Mr. Strang, Labour, MP, Edinburgh Does the Solicitor-General for Scotland recall the representations that he received from my hon. March 3 1985 - Delegates at an NUM conference decide 98 to 91 to end the strike. June 21 -- Coal Board chief Ian McGregor warns the strike 'could go on until December or even longer.' June 18 -- Scargill knocked. 19. 17. Harold Wilson resigned as Prime Minister because he was aware that his mental capacity was failing. Oct. 25 -- High Court orders seizure of union fund. Protestors have been out of work for six months and the lack of income is starting to take its toll. David Jones, a picket at Ollerton Colliery, Nottinghamshire was hit in the chest by a brick was thrown at him by an opponent of the strike. The coal industry had continued to decline and by the end of 1981 there were only 173 mines still in operation. July 4 -- British Broadcasting Corporation reports 3,900 arrests, two dead, 640 injured in strike so far. Read our cookie policy here or accept to continue. (2021). Ministerial correspondence confirming the police role in the dispute is to uphold the law and order and they don't take direction from Ministers and no need for a public inquiry[29]. The free marketeers pointed to the 1970s as a decade of strikes and discontent, the 3 day week, a car . In East Lothian many communities were affected. Violence on the picket lines becomes more widespread. Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. The Prime Minister gave instructions to the Secretary of State for Scotland, pointing out what he "should" do: "The Prime Minister, summing up the discussion.The Secretary of State for Scotland should explore and report on the questions raised in the discussion about the policing of the dispute in Scotland. The Yorkshire branch of the NUM held a ballot which approved strike action in the event of any pit threatened with closure for being unprofitable. Select from premium Miners Strike 1984 of the highest quality. Miners Strike 1984 - 1985, Pictured. The Miners Strike 1984. In the north, only 35% of 1,000 men employed went on strike [2]. Find Miners Strike 1984 stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. London, NW3 3EU He succeeded with a majority of just 3 seats in the House of Commons. Mr. Hamilton had the opportunity to be tried before a jury. March 14 -- Violent picketing shuts down more mines. June 15 -- Miner killed by truck at Ferrybridge power station. Adeney, M. & J. Lloyd (1986) The Miners' Strike 1984-5: Loss Without Limit (Routledge) London. The ballot was never held. Reasons for both the generation and the persistence of that mythology are sought. Around 5,000 women attended. 6 March 1984 - National Coal Board announces plans to close 20 coal mines, with a loss of 20,000 jobs. This article is over 13 years, 7 months old. - Ian McGregor referred to pickets as 'bully boys of arthurs army' - police lines augmented by soldiers, taunting strikers and waving wads of banknotes at pickets June 1984 - battle of Orgreave Nov 30 1084 - David Wilkie was driving a miner to work and had a 46lb concrete block dropped on his taxi killing him instantly He was acquitted. If court orders following successful civil action were not complied with, enforcement could be difficult in itself and might actually increase the problems of the police in maintaining public order. Some have been tried and found not guilty and most have been awarded fines, albeit substantial ones." The NUM called for a ban on overtime in protest at a pay rise of 5.2%. Nevertheless, Robert Maxwell owner of the Daily Mirror paid for striking miners and their families to take a trip to the seaside. 1994 The coal industry is now privatised by which time the National Coal Board had closed all but the most economical of coal pits. Demanding a government apology for Thatcher's ruthless attack on the miners sounds hollow coming from Labour MPs. We understand that the Secretary of State for Scotland is likely to say that the Chief Constable of Strathclyde is no less ready than Chief Constables in England and Wales to stop flying pickets from assembling when he considers that this would be justified. June 15 -- Miner killed by truck at Ferrybridge power station. [39], The Solicitor-General for Scotland I recall that meeting, at which I gave the hon. October 8, 2015. More than half the country's 187,000 mineworkers are now on strike. 2 April 1984 "the Ministry of Defence, while maintaining the lowest possible profile, had responded to requests to provide accommodation and messing facilities for a number of police personnel. US President retweets video containing 'white power' chant, Leicester could see local lockdown following rise in coronavirus cases, Biden slams Trump over report Russia paid militants for attacks. But the point seems to be that chief officers in Scotland are not in a position to seek mutual aid from their counterparts in England or Wales (or vice versa). 3 March 1985 Delegates at an NUM conference decide 98 to 91 to end the strike. 1 March National Coal Board (NCB) announces closure of Cortonwood pit in Yorkshire - miners at the pit walk out; 6 March Scottish and Yorkshire areas of the NUM make strike official Member for Edinburgh, Leith (Mr. Brown) and myself, about the position of Mr. David Hamilton, the chairman of the Lothian strike committee, who languished for nine weeks in jail and was then found not guilty? The effective cross-border arrangements which can be made are for the exchange of information about the prospective or actual movements of pickets between England and Scotland. "On the civil law, the Group took the view that the balance of advantage was still against action in the courts by management in the industries concerned, but if circumstances changed considerably, they should reconsider this and related issues in the light of the report which had been prepared by the Attorney General on tactical options in the dispute, including the relevance of the civil and criminal law." Letter from Mr MacGregor thanking Chief Constables for their help and support during the miners' strike dispute. Most of the convictions are for obstruction and breach of the peace. There are many ways to get to us whether it be by tube, train, bus, car, bike or on foot. Protestors have been out of work for six months and the lack of income was starting to take its toll. 1984: Miners strike over threatened pit closures. Hampstead Theatre, A general election was held and she won the election with an increased majority of 144 seats in the House of Commons. Workers at the pit walked out in protest. Feb. 25 -- A record 3,807 miners back in one day. September - Thousands of miners and police clash once more at Malty Colliery near Rotherham. It could be argued that this burden would be eased if management in the industries affected by unlawful picketing had recourse to the civil law. Many of these mines were in poor economic areas and the miners would find it almost impossible to gain employment elsewhere. Union leader Arthur Scargill walks out when officialsr refuse to discuss closure plans. The miners strike officially ended when many areas called for a return to work. Attorney General[30], "Industrial Action in the Coal Industry: use of the criminal and civil law. 1984: The beginning of the end for British coal. The boys had dug into an exposed seam of coal in a railway embankment at Goldthorpe, Yorkshire. March 8 -- Union executive backs nationwide strikes. Tebbit: Miners' strike 'a terrible sore' on politics, 30 years on, Joe Biden vows to fight racial inequality with economic agenda, Trump reverts to promoting unproven drug as coronavirus treatment, Big Boss is watching you workers fear increased monitoring by employers, Devon bus drivers will decide whether to strike over pay, Durham County Council respond to teaching assistants' strike action, UK's top civil servant Sir Mark Sedwill to stand down, Controversial appointment of Brexit aide as National Security Adviser, Scotland records no new virus deaths for third day running, 'UK on a knife edge ahead of further lockdown easing'. Maltby Picket Violence Sep 26, 1984 . experience. On the other hand, it was not certain that recourse to the civil law would in practice have this effect. The police were brought in to allow workers through resulting in often violent confrontations between pickets and police. The Miners Strike was ruled illegal on the grounds that a national ballot of NUM members had not been held. A small portion of any purchases from this site goes directly toward funding and supporting Totally Timelines. March 17 -- Midlands, Northeast and Northwest miners vote against strike. Minutes from Ministerial Group on Coal[32], 18 June The battle of Orgreave, South Yorkshire 5,000 riot police took on 5,000 protestors. Please do not provide any personal information, All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except for graphic assets and where otherwise stated, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, Independent Review Impact On Communities Of The Policing Of The Miners' Strike 1984-85 - Final Report, 2. Nothing I've read yet convinces me this is a good idea. Read: Calls for inquiry on 30th anniversary of miners' strike. Tens of thousands of Britain's miners have stopped work in what looks like becoming a long battle against job losses. Over 27 million working days were lost in strike action in 1984 (mainly among miners). Delegates at an NUM conference decide 98 to 91 to end the strike[41]. Transcript. "It seems that your attitude on the question of an amnesty is much more rigorous than that being applied in any other coal field. Selby coalfield was opened providing more jobs in Yorkshire. Events of the UK Miners' Strike 1984 (1st March) It was announced that Cortonwood Colliery would be closed. The government announced on 6 March 1984 that 20 collieries would close . Police deny he was hit by a truncheon. Twenty years ago on March 5, 1984 the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) embarked upon the most important class struggle in Britain since the general strike of 1926. Edward Heath was hoping people would support the measures introduced to deal with the oil crisis and that the Conservatives would win. Police arrest 110. Hello. When will there be some change in the situation? 1984 (6th March) Ian MacGregor announced that around 20 unprofitable coal mines would be closed over the coming year. Nov. 5 -- Union funds of $3 million seized in Dublin. Scottish Home and Health Department have written to the Chief Constables of Central, Fife, Lothian and Borders, and Strathclyde enclosing copies of the statement on criminal law on picketing made on Friday 16 March by the Attorney General with the support, as far as Scotland is concerned, of the Lord Advocate[16]. We have been justified by events. The LHASC holds the Martin Walker Papers which include press cuttings, supporters bulletins and newspapers charting the progress of the Miners' StrikeThe LHASC also holds the papers of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, 1984-1985 and there are also references to the strike in the Michael Foot Papers, the Hilary Wainwright Papers and the Eric Heffer Papers. National Coal Board says Britain has 23 million tons of coal in stock with another 24 million at the power stations. As predicted by economists, this led to deflation and rising unemployment. The result was a hung parliament and Labour formed a minority government. The Thatcher government had prepared against a repeat of the effective 1974 strike by stockpiling coal, converting power station to burn heavy fuel oil and recruiting road hauliers to transport coal. Many were now suffering severe financial hardship and felt they had little choice. "Breach of the peace and obstruction of police constables in the execution of their duty (contrary to Section 41 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967) are the offences most likely to be of use in dealing with mass picketing." Attorney General[31], "As far as the Scottish Office are aware, the police are employing their available powers fully but prudently; and, in particular, they have taken account of the Written Answer of 16 March in which the Lord Advocate lent his support to the Attorney General's explanation of the nature of the police powers in the picketing context." By the early 1980s the collieries were losing money. Sun, 29/04/1984 - 22:00. Coal mines began to be closed. July 2 -- Steel union leaders reject call for steel strike as 'completely unacceptable.'.
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