A brief history of Welsh mining from 1945 to the present day
A brief history of Welsh mining from 1945 to the present day: "1945"
Feb 9 2006
Molly Watson, Western Mail
1945
On January 1, 1945, the National Union of Mineworkers came into being, with the aim of maintaining, protecting and improving the standard of living of its members.
Created as a result of the approaching nationalisation of the industry, the union represented all mine workers including craftsmen, underground, surface, clerical workers and many others, with each pit having an individual lodge.
1946
Establishment of the National Coal Board, given sole responsibility for managing the industry and running it on business lines.
1947
On January 1, coal mines were taken into public ownership.
1955
Programme of pit closures begins in South Wales.
1966
Aberfan tip slide claims the lives of 144 children and adults.
1972 [and 1974]
National miners' strike
At the 1971 NUM Annual Conference, delegates asked for a 43% pay rise, at a time when the Conservative Government was offering around 7 to 8%. This was followed by a vote by miners to take industrial action if their demands weren't met. On January 9, miners from all over Britain came out.
Miners targeted all power stations and picketed coal depots, while dockers in South Wales refused to unload coal from ships. In early February a state of emergency was declared and a three-day working week was introduced to save electricity. An offer was eventually accepted at the end of February. But miners' wages failed to keep up and in 1974 they struck again. The dispute led to the fall of the Tories.
1984
The National Coal Board declared it wished to close 20 pits with the loss of 20,000 jobs, claiming that the deal made after the 1974 miners' strike was no longer valid. In March Arthur Scargill, President of the NUM, called a national strike against the pit closures. The strike was declared illegal as Arthur Scargill had not held a ballot of NUM members, which led to the confiscation of NUM funds and enabled the police to intervene. The strike lasted for nearly a year, but on March, 3, 1985, the NUM conceded defeat. Miners returned to work two days later.
1985
Beginning of the mass closure of collieries.
1994
Tower Colliery closes, the last deep-mine in South Wales
1995
Workers return to Tower Colliery after a successful employee buyout bid.
2006
Tower Colliery faces closure within three years.
Feb 9 2006
Molly Watson, Western Mail
1945
On January 1, 1945, the National Union of Mineworkers came into being, with the aim of maintaining, protecting and improving the standard of living of its members.
Created as a result of the approaching nationalisation of the industry, the union represented all mine workers including craftsmen, underground, surface, clerical workers and many others, with each pit having an individual lodge.
1946
Establishment of the National Coal Board, given sole responsibility for managing the industry and running it on business lines.
1947
On January 1, coal mines were taken into public ownership.
1955
Programme of pit closures begins in South Wales.
1966
Aberfan tip slide claims the lives of 144 children and adults.
1972 [and 1974]
National miners' strike
At the 1971 NUM Annual Conference, delegates asked for a 43% pay rise, at a time when the Conservative Government was offering around 7 to 8%. This was followed by a vote by miners to take industrial action if their demands weren't met. On January 9, miners from all over Britain came out.
Miners targeted all power stations and picketed coal depots, while dockers in South Wales refused to unload coal from ships. In early February a state of emergency was declared and a three-day working week was introduced to save electricity. An offer was eventually accepted at the end of February. But miners' wages failed to keep up and in 1974 they struck again. The dispute led to the fall of the Tories.
1984
The National Coal Board declared it wished to close 20 pits with the loss of 20,000 jobs, claiming that the deal made after the 1974 miners' strike was no longer valid. In March Arthur Scargill, President of the NUM, called a national strike against the pit closures. The strike was declared illegal as Arthur Scargill had not held a ballot of NUM members, which led to the confiscation of NUM funds and enabled the police to intervene. The strike lasted for nearly a year, but on March, 3, 1985, the NUM conceded defeat. Miners returned to work two days later.
1985
Beginning of the mass closure of collieries.
1994
Tower Colliery closes, the last deep-mine in South Wales
1995
Workers return to Tower Colliery after a successful employee buyout bid.
2006
Tower Colliery faces closure within three years.
posted by J. at 8:41 PM
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