March 6th, 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the great miners’ strike. The strike lasted almost one year. It ended with the miners marching back to work behind their bands and their banners on March 3rd, 1985.
This heroic struggle will never be forgotten by every socialist activist who lived through it. There were no mines or miners in Northern Ireland, but the effects of the strike were profound.
It has been said that workers in Northern Ireland raised more money per head of the population than any other area and England, Scotland and Wales, outside the mining areas.
Trade unions and trade unionists were involved in fundraising efforts, and collected food and basic essentials to send to the pit communities. The workers movement in Northern Ireland were asked to contribute directly to the Scottish NUM and miners’ representatives from Scotland visited Northern Ireland in the first few weeks in the strike. Eventually, Barri McClatchy a Scottish miner, stayed for the duration of the strike and indeed remained in the North when it was over.
Today we published an article on the 40th anniversary of the strike. The miners’ strike was a high point for the British workers movement and its defeat has left his mark to this day. Nevertheless, we remember their struggle with pride, and we are determined to learn from their courage and determination.