Miners strike | industrial action | Sunderland | Wearmouth Colliery | TV Eye | 1984

(This is an extract from the original report)
An extract from a Thames television TV eye where they report from the North East where local NUM leaders are determined to win the 1984 coal strike, however long it takes and whatever the cost.
Reporter: Julian Manyon
First shown: 06/12/1984
To license this clip please e mail: [e-mail]
Quote: VT32559

[@Spookieham]

Ironically if we decided to go back to deep mine collierys you would be hard pressed to find anyone willing to work in one.

[@4-dman464]

That's true - - except it's also true you'd be hard pressed to find anyone willing to work in the job they've actually got today, with its longer hours for less pay and less holidays and less rights. But they've got to, post-1980s. That's the deeper irony.

[@west_ldn_xxx5549]

I don't think so, look at the salaries of gurners, the benefits they receive and how quickly they retire in, for example, Poland. There is no shortage of people willing to do this job and mining traditions are maintained from generation to generation.

[@ADZ01982]

Completely disagree. Coal jobs where always well paid. Great opportunitys for young lads and lasses.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@ADZ01982 It was dangerous work that should have been phased out during the 1960s.

[@ADZ01982]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw As in most industries health and safety wasn't at here it should back then. But it 2024 it will be alot better now.

[@4-dman464]

When the country had a spine and political awareness.

[@ashleyparry2470]

The side of history that should be taught in schools

[@mikeluscher159]

Didn't Nissan move into Sunderland a few years later?

[@teaplease1000]

This was the moment the working people lost confidence in the police.

[@trytellingthetruth.2068]

The miners didn't do themselves any favours in the mid 1970's holding the country to ransom and when Labour came to power demanding a pay increase and Labour giving them a 35% increase in 1974 and again in 1975. Thatcher wasn't going to allow the miners to do the same in the early 80's and now look, no mining industry and having to import coal from around the world. Absolutely crazy.

[@vikingsmb]

totally agree, and this needs to be told to certain parts of south wales who think it was all maggies fault, but it wasn't though

[@stephenduncan3605]

Thatcher should NEVER have been voted in in the first place.

[@vikingsmb]

Grow up

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@stephenduncan3605 The Soviet agent Wilson closed twice as many coal mines as Thatcher did.

[@MarkHarrison733]

Coal mining should have been phased out during the 1960s.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

The police were too lenient during the illegal strike.