Abstract
This paper explores the democratic tensions within the National Union of Mineworkers that split the union during the 1984–85 strike over mine closures. In seeking to understand the conflict over the failure to hold a national ballot to validate this yearlong strike, the paper explores the development of this federally structured trade union and examines previous conflicts in which the federated nature of the union created local, rather than national, solidarities.
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Notes
The authors of this paper stand in opposition over the issue of the ballot.
Some of these early regional organizations were called “Districts,” others “Associations.” To avoid confusion between the MFGB and the NUM, all pre-NUM regional organizations will be called “Districts.” All regional organizations within the NUM are known as Area Associations.
Both of the authors of this paper voted in Area level ballots.
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Appendix: Extracts from the NUM rulebook as of 1st March 1984
Appendix: Extracts from the NUM rulebook as of 1st March 1984
Rule 8: The government of the Union shall be by Conference as provided for in these Rules. In the periods between Conference the NEC shall administer the business and affairs of the union and perform all duties laid down for it by resolution of Conference, and shall not at any time act contrary to, or in defiance of, any resolution of Conference.
Rule 23: The Conference of Delegates (Conference) in which the authority and government of the union shall be vested, shall function in Annual Conference or Special Conference. The Annual Conference shall be held between the 1st June and 31st July in each year, or such other times as Conference may resolve. The duties of the Annual Conference shall be to transact the business of the Union and to discuss matters affecting the welfare of the membership; to consider resolutions submitted to the Annual Conference by the National Executive Committee and Areas; to receive the National Executive Committee’s report of its proceedings and the financial and Auditor’s report for the previous
Rule 41: Strikes and Lockouts. In the event of a dispute arising in any Area or applying to the workers in any Branch likely or possible to lead to a stoppage of work or any other industrial action short of a strike the questions involved must immediately be reported by the appropriate official of the Area in question to the National Executive Committee which shall deal with the matter forthwith, and in no case shall cessation of work or other form of industrial action short of strike take place by the workers without the previous sanction of the National Executive Committee, or of a Committee(whether consisting of members of the National Executive Committee or other persons) to whom the National Executive Committee may have delegated the power of giving such sanction, either generally or in a particular case and no funds of the Union shall be applied in strike pay or other trades dispute benefit for the benefit of the workers who shall have ceased work without the previous sanction of the National Executive Committee.
Rule 43: National Action. In the event of national action being proposed by the union in pursuance of any of the objectives of the union, the following provision shall apply: That a national strike shall only be entered upon as the result of a ballot vote of the members taken in pursuance of a resolution of a Conference, and a strike shall not be declared unless 55 per cent of those voting in the ballot vote in favour of such a strike. If a ballot vote be taken during the time a strike is in progress, a vote of 55 per cent of those taking part in the ballot shall be necessary to continue the strike. If a ballot vote be taken during the time of a stoppage is in progress, such stoppage may not be continued unless 55 per cent of those voting in the ballot vote in favour of continuance.
(The words ‘55 per cent’ were replaced by the words ‘simple majority’ at the Special Conference on 19th April 1984).
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Wray, D., Allsop, D. Damaged by Democracy: The National Union of Mineworkers and the 1984–85 Strike. Employ Respons Rights J 23, 147–161 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-011-9173-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-011-9173-3