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Coal Miner’s Strike

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.

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Coal Miner’s Strike

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  1. Coal Miner’s Strike 1984-1985

  2. 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

  3. Coal Mining • Coal Mines generally in the north of England, Scotland and Wales. • South of England more new industries such as electronics etc

  4. Very much a split country • Northern England, Scotland and Wales • Working Class • Traditional Industries • Southern England • Middle & Upper Class • New Industries

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  8. Over 187,000 miners went on strike

  9. 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.

  10. Levels of Solidarity in the 1984-85 strike by area

  11. 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

  12. Food Centres were opened for the miners • People collected money for the miners. • Very difficult time for the miners

  13. 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

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