The third and final film produced by the Steel Bank Co-op in which discussions are held between reginal representatives from Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and South Wales of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) along with Janet Hudson from Sheffield Women Against Pit Closures about what has and hasn’t been done by the union to make a case for the future of coal. The programme also asks those taking part to describe some of the positive outcomes of the strike as well as look forward to the...

The third and final film produced by the Steel Bank Co-op in which discussions are held between reginal representatives from Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and South Wales of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) along with Janet Hudson from Sheffield Women Against Pit Closures about what has and hasn’t been done by the union to make a case for the future of coal. The programme also asks those taking part to describe some of the positive outcomes of the strike as well as look forward to the future of the industry and union. At a colliery a pit wheel turns as a National Coal Board (NCB) lorry departs with a load of coal. In voiceover Allan Baker from the South Wales NUM explains that the case for coal is not clearly understood by miners as well as other trade unions and there is a perception that coal is an outdated energy fuel. Title: Learning Lessons A Discussion on the Strategy of the Miners' Strike Part Three: Campaigning for the Case for Coal Dan Canniff also of the South Wales NUM explains that while the NUM could have campaigned for the case for coal, the consensus at the end of the dispute was that it was a victory for common sense for the whole country that the industry was to be cut down. His is critical of the national executive for not putting across the case for coal during the dispute as he believes it would have given support to the miners from groups such as the unemployed, women in Green Peace as well as the church, but the union didn’t want to know as they wanted to win it on their own. Allan Baker explains that during the dispute the NUM had no conception of campaigning for coal especially as a form of offensive, they didn’t feel the need for alliances. They were always on the defensive and reacting to what the government was doing on their terms. He explains that a case for coal was drawn up by the union in 1982, but it was ignored during the dispute. Derek France from the Yorkshire NUM believes that it was the establishment who beat the miners and it was the establishment who owned the media. He believes the NUM didn’t have any opportunities to put across a case for coal as they weren’t interested in the subject rather wanting only to talk about the violence. Inky Thompson also of the Yorkshire NUM agrees with the comments made by Derek and believes the media was devastating to the miner’s as they were always chasing sensationalism. They brough violence out to form the opinion of the vast majority of the public. Allan Baker disagrees with Derek’s comments on the media and believes it is an oversimplification to state that the NUM couldn’t have done more with the media to promote coal. There were sympathetic programmes in Wales which allowed unbiased debate and a programme ‘Week In Week Out’ is mentioned. His criticism is less of the programme more of the miners who were taking part as they simply didn’t understand what the strike was about. Title: Positive Features of the Strike Paul Whetton of the Nottinghamshire NUM talks about the work of the union in his area which went out into town like Norwich and Basingstoke and was able to generate hundreds of pounds of support. Inky Thompson talks about how the dispute created bonds between sections of working and professional classes that never existed before. A protest march of miner’s wives waving at the camera and cheering as they pass. Janet Hudson from Sheffield Women Against Pit Closures explains that it was vital that women got involved in the dispute and that the local community was made aware of what the government was trying to do to the mining industry. She talks about her surprise at the number of women who did turn up to help. She believes that the Women Against Pit Closures movement was working to bring women from different groups and backgrounds together. Allan Baker is critical of the NUM whom he believed were not aware of the development of these women’s groups. However, he believes one of the positives from the strike is the growth in these women’s group and the need for men to recognise their importance otherwise they will be betraying their own manhood. Young miners from the Notts Area NUM marching through a town carries banners and singing. Paul Whetton speaks positively of the young who fought throughout the strike. Dan Canniff also speaks positively about both of women as well as the young, but believes their enthusiasm needs to be channelled properly especially with the young as they will be the leaders of the future. Inky Thompson believes what the young have learned from the strike will be of value to them should they find work in other industries or professions. He also believes the miners traditional of keeping the dispute alive through stories told to family members for years to come is still alive with the young of today. Title: Looking to the Future Derek France explains that because of Thatcher and the dispute politics is no longer a taboo subject and people are now aware that politics means something. He believes another strike will be called in the no to distant future. Allan Baker disagrees with Derek and believes you can’t expect miners to lead or initiation any fightback. He explains why and also provides details on what needs to be done within a wider political spectrum in order to fightback against the government’s pit closure programme. The programme ends on Janet Hudson who doesn’t see the 12-month dispute as a defeat, rather a setback. She talks about what has been achieved and the friends made which should be built upon should there be another dispute. She ends by saying that she would like to see more community involvement in any future industrial action, as this will be the only way to win disputes in Britain. Title: Discussion chaired by John Lowe, Sheffield July 1985 Additional video material and thanks to Keith Brookes Thanks to Sheffield Independent Film Credit: Cameras David Rea and Jess York Camera Assistant Noemie Mendelle Production Assistant Dinah Ward and Susie Field Sound Peter Biddle Direction and Editing Simon Reynell Title: Produced by Steel Bank Film Co-op under the terms of the A.C.T.T. Workshop Declaration, with financial assistance from Channel 4 Television End title: © Steel Bank Co-op 1985