Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington (Post 1051993)

This will be my final post to this thread.

Originally Posted by Boeing Guy (Post 1051980)

Mog, I don't believe anyone is doubting the miners were not well trained. I visited a mine in Wales several years ago, you have my upmost respect for going down one.
If I remember rightly, all through the 1970's there was strike after strike, hampering our country. Edward Heath's government was brought down by the actions of unions.
Something had to be done, she may have gone too far, but that's what happens in life.
Speaking of miners, I see Arthur Scargill is still doing okay
Why Arthur Scargill is reluctant to leave his £1.5m Barbican flat | Politics | The Guardian

I believe the phrase is 'champagne socialist'

Originally Posted by Boeing Guy (Post 1052000)

Ah yes, the 3 day week. Now why was that..... Well for those of us who are too blinkered to remember, the UK was in a mess, inflation was high and as a result the Government tried to cap Public Sector Pay, of course this did not go down well with the Unions, (just like the Civil Servants Pensions arn't going down well either...) so the National Union of Mineworkers, got their memebers to work to rule, causing sever shortages of power in the UK.
in the middle Heath lost the general election, then the rest of the 1970's we plauged by Strike after Strike, anyone remember the Winter of Discontent?
or even Callaghans 'Crisis what Crisis' comments...(To be fair I prefer Supertramps version).

Still its nice to see the Union Leaders did okay out of it, after4 all Arthurs still a hero....

Originally Posted by Lampman (Post 1051995)

Well let's see she decimated the Coal Industry,closed the docks,sacked the Printers ,demolished the Steel Industry,sold us shares in companies we already owned and sold off the council houses.
A truly great legacy?

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington (Post 1051993)

Cashy, you are putting the words of David Cameron in Margaret Thatchers mouth......I don't recall her having said that at any time...though, like you, my memory is becoming rusty with advancing years.

This will be my final post to this thread.

Originally Posted by Boeing Guy (Post 1052009)

Mog, I have the upmost brepect for your profession, it is somthing I could never have done.
I have no version of events, I was a child at the time of the 3 Day Week.

That said the country was in crisis, Inflation was going up January 1973, the Governement issued a White Paper on anti inflation.


In May 1.6 million workers staged a strike in support of the TUC's call for a 'day of national protest and stoppage' in protest at the Government's pay restraint policy and price rises. This action followed numerous strikes in the first few months of the New Year.

In November 1973, the menbers of the NUM started an Overtime Ban.

This caused a the Government to declare a state of emegency, due to the combined effects of action by Coal and electricity workers and also by the cut in Oil from the gulf states.

In December 1973, electricty was rationed to Industy, creating the 3 day week in the new year.

In January 1974 The National Coal Board offered the miners between 40p and 70p per week pay rise, this was rejected by the Pay Board.

The TUC meet the government at 10 Downing St but the NUM decided to continue the overtime ban.

Late January 1974, the Miner Leaders rejected a letter from the prime Minister to go back to work, carrying on the action.

Febuary 1974, the Miners Strike began.

The NUM now rejected a offer from industialists to pay between £1.50 to £2.00 per week on top of the NCB offer to all the miners.

March 174, the NUM reched a deal with the NCB after the new Labour Governement interviened. it cost £113 Million

July 1974 the pay board was abolished.

I may have missed bits out.

Originally Posted by Mog (Post 1052014)

If all I have done is to get you to rephrase your words, then I am happy. There is a massive difference between working to Rule and an Overtime ban. I shall also add that Coventry mine was one of the deapest in the country and also one of the hottest. When you entered the mine workings from the south side of the pit. The workmen had a supply of water pumped to them and also were given salt tablets. During the Overtime ban we had a massive underground fire and some of the pit lads stayed undergroung with me from Friday night at 21.00 until Sunday at 14.00 fighting the fire and extinguishing the same. All without pay due to the overtime ban. But they fought the fire to save the pit and keep it open.

Originally Posted by Boeing Guy (Post 1052016)

No there wasn't, there should have been, those men did something heroic.


I am sorry for the work to rule line Mog, I was wrong.

Originally Posted by Boeing Guy (Post 1052016)

No there wasn't, there should have been, those men did something heroic.


I am sorry for the work to rule line Mog, I was wrong.