What caused the miners strike in 1984?
The miners’ strike of 1984–1985 was a major industrial action to shut down the British coal industry in an attempt to prevent colliery closures. Opposition to the strike was led by the Conservative government of the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, who wanted to reduce the power of the trade unions.
What did Arthur Scargill do?
Arthur Scargill (born 11 January 1938) is a British trade unionist who was President of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) from 1982 to 2002. He is best known for leading the 1984–1985 miners’ strike, a major event in the history of the British labour movement.
How long did miners strike last?
The UK miners’ strike of 1969 was an unofficial strike that involved 140 of the 307 collieries owned by the National Coal Board, including all collieries in the Yorkshire area. The strike began on 13 October 1969 and lasted for roughly two weeks, with some pits returning to work before others.
When did the miners strike end?
March 6, 1984 – March 3, 1985
UK miners’ strike/Periods
Who was PM during winter of discontent?
Among these was Prime Minister James Callaghan himself, who had built his political career on his connection to the trade unions, and had practically founded one, the Inland Revenue Staff Federation. Callaghan called the actions of the strikers “free collective vandalism”.
Can you go on strike in Scotland and Yorkshire?
The NUM’s rules permitted areas to take official strike action if authorised by our national executive committee in accordance with Rule 41. If the NEC gave Scotland and Yorkshire authorisation under this rule, it could galvanise other areas to seek similar support for action against closures.
Who was the leader of the British miners strike?
Arthur Scargill. Arthur Scargill (born 1938) was the militant, controversial president of the British National Union of Mineworkers who led the longest and most violent miners’ strike in British history. Arthur Scargill, the son and grandson of coal miners, was born in Worsborough, South Yorkshire, in 1938.
Where was the house where Steve Scargill was born?
That house sits on the edge of Worsbrough, close to the pit village where Scargill was born. It’s the last place I visit in Yorkshire before I turn the car round and head south: a low, long, stone-clad cottage only 50 or so yards from the M1, with a silver 4×4 parked outside, and a modest set of gates.
Why did the miners strike fail in 1984?
The failure of the miner’s strike in 1984 has been seen by many as the result of bad leadership of the head of the NUM, Arthur Scargill, the lack of support for the strike as well as giving credit to the government’s preparations.