Object 4 – Image of an earlier strike
The 1984-85 miners’ strike wasn’t the first of its kind. These objects relate to several periods of industrial action between 1972-74, when miners either went on strike or refused to work overtime to protest against the fact that their wages were not rising with inflation. ‘Going on strike’ is when workers down tools and refuse to work as a form of protest.
In the 1970s, the majority of UK electricity was generated in coal-burning power stations. The industrial action meant that the coal stocks were depleted, so less electricity could be produced. This led to blackouts, power cuts, and businesses being forced to reduce their working hours; from January-March 1974, TV stations had to stop broadcasting by 10:30pm to conserve power. This torch and leaflet are the kind of thing that might be found in a house in the 1970s when power cuts were common.
The picture, taken by Stephen Hamilton during a strike from January 9th until February 28th 1972, shows a miner outside Cadeby colliery, on what is known as a picket line. This is where strikers stand outside their place of work, to try and prevent or dissuade their colleagues from working.