Skip to main content
35 years since the NUM returned to work
Today ex-miners, families and supporters gather to commemorate the deaths of two Yorkshire miners killed in the 1984-85 strike against pit closures, writes CHRIS KITCHEN, national secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers

IT’S difficult to believe that this year marks 35 years since those who stayed loyal to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) returned to work with their heads held high.

Twelve months on strike fighting not only the proposed job losses from the pit-closure programme that the National Coal Board and Tory government intended to push through, but the devastating consequences that would affect the communities we lived in and future employment prospects for our children.

Following the strike of 1984-85, the National Coal Board and the then Tory government pushed ahead with their pit-closure programme, and the devastation to our communites that we feared became a reality.

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
THE STATE vs THE PEOPLE: Massive police presence greets pick
Features / 9 March 2024
9 March 2024
CHRIS KITCHEN, general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, reminds us that the defining industrial battle of the last century isn’t over until there is full justice for Orgreave's victims — and for miners’ pensions
Features / 12 May 2023
12 May 2023
As well as our industrial strength, we need to build up reserves of class pride — and events like this festival are key, writes general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers CHRIS KITCHEN
The old Haig Colliery pictured in 2018
Features / 16 December 2022
16 December 2022
General secretary of the NUM CHRIS KITCHEN argues that while Britain is still importing and burning coal from abroad, reopening mines and using our own reserves actually reduces the amount of carbon emissions
Features / 9 July 2022
9 July 2022
Can coal be part of the solution to tackling climate change, asks CHRIS KITCHEN, general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers
Similar stories
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
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