Skip to main content
The 1972 miners’ strike – a pivotal moment for working-class confidence
JON TRICKETT MP looks back 50 years to one of the most significant industrial struggles in Britain, to see what lessons there are for the labour movement today
General scenes at the Saltley coke depot in Birmingham, as the miners attempt to close the depot down during their strike

WITH the Conservative government set to extend further pay restraint into a second decade, and with trade union activity at a historically low ebb, a new generation of trade union leaders are grappling with how to work with their members, and with politicians, to lever government policy. 

There are some positive signs. Trade union membership has ticked up for a fourth year running. 

New leaders such as Unite’s Sharon Graham have extensive experience in organising and leverage which has resulted in increased workplace actions. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Protesters during an energy protest outside the Palace of We
Labour Conference 2024 / 19 September 2024
19 September 2024
JON TRICKETT MP says the tools already exist to stop price-gouging by the energy fat cats
Then Prime Minister David Cameron (right) and then Deputy Pr
Features / 22 June 2024
22 June 2024
The last 14 years have completely disproven the economic myths the Tories used to set us on the path of cuts and devastation – we need massive direct investment to rebuild the post-industrial communities, writes JON TRICKETT
An asbestos warning sign, February 8, 2009
Workers' Memorial Day 2024 / 27 April 2024
27 April 2024
JON TRICKETT calls for a renewed commitment to driving up safety standards in all workplaces
Features / 30 December 2023
30 December 2023
Most people understand and are outraged by the fact inequality is getting worse — we need to explain how and why the Tories are driving it, writes JON TRICKETT MP
Similar stories
(L to R) Nicholas Garland in The Telegraph; Frank Eccles Bro
Features / 28 February 2025
28 February 2025
PETER LAZENBY is fascinated by a book of cartoons that shows how newspaper cartoonists were employed to, on the one hand, denigrade and, on the other, to defend the miners’ strike of 1984-85
Ken Capstick, former vice-chairman of the NUM’s Yorkshire
Features / 20 January 2025
20 January 2025
Remembering KEN CAPSTICK, vice-president of the National Union of Mineworkers Yorkshire Area
Campaigners from the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign on
Durham Miners' Gala / 13 July 2024
13 July 2024
Four decades on from the miners’ strike, the OTJC demands an inquiry into police brutality and government lies. Labour's pledge offers us hope, but the fight continues, writes KATE FLANNERY
Features / 11 May 2024
11 May 2024
In the first of two features, ex-miner PAUL KELLY shares his experiences as a 24-year-old striker in the miners’ strike against pit closures of 1984-5