monies and for Mineworkers order of Illicts shall failed. special managers, ones who had a little bit of understanding of the industry and the men in it, with a set of business sharks: experts on the balance book mentality, who know about exploiting men. That is why they were appointed. But it has been a total failure in terms of miners' Rather than take it lying down, there have been go-slows, one day strikes, refusals to work overtime. The new ball game has created a bitter atmosphere, but it hasn't curtailed our Many miners were loyal to the Coal Board. That is why we had such a hell of a job getting the strike underway. They didn't realise the nature of the animal. But now they do. Now you never hear talk about the union trying to bring the government down, or the political motivation of Arthur Scargill least radical of Ine Everybody knows the score. are more alert, more concerned about their rights, as a result of the way the Coal Board treated them during the strike. To that degree, if the Board dic but know it, they might have done us a favor. But that is no consolation to the sacked lads The NUM nationally and in the areas, has tried valiantly to get sacked miners reinstated. But so far we have We put our case to the parliamentary select committee on employment. Even though there was a majority of Conservatives on that: committee came out on our side. They believed that the Coal Board had not acted as a reasonable employer and recognised there had been discrimination against striking miners.
That was the situation faced by our last year. recognised that we had to broaden our campaign, that we couldn't get our sacked men reinstated on our own.
Supporting victimised miners and publicising their case
by Mechanics Vane presidents. the Socialist Action.
Organising the Campaign TO BE SUCCESSFUL, any campaign against the injustices suffered mineworkers their union must have the NUM firmly in the driving seat. That is why Durham general Bill Etherington is chair of the Justice for Mineworkers Campaign. It is why Arthur Oxley, a sacked miner Tempest colliery in Durham is its treasurer. And it is Arthur Scargill is honourary president, and Peter Heathfield and Mick MeGahey its honourary vice Set up at 1985 Labour Party conference, the campaign will be launched • with a splash this weekend. Marking the anniversarv of the historic miner 28 February 1986