The massacre of Red Crescent and civil defence aid workers has elicited little coverage and no condemnation by major powers — this is the age of lawlessness, warns JOE GILL
The Battle of Saltley Gate: ‘too strong to hold back’
CHRIS KITCHEN, general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, marks the anniversary of a remarkable victory for working-class solidarity when a 'human sea' defied the state

THE MINERS’ STRIKE of 1972 was the first time miners had staged a national stoppage since 1926. Its outcome has been labelled “the miners’ greatest victory.”
In 1971 the NUM submitted a pay claim of between £5 and £9 per week (dependent on grade) and the National Coal Board replied with an offer of £1.60 — which reflected the Tory government’s strategy of wage restraint. A national ballot of the miners voted for strike action which started on January 9, 1972.
It was to become an important landmark in working-class history. A key event of the dispute and the one which led to its victorious outcome was the Battle of Saltley Gate which occurred 50 years ago today.
More from this author

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

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

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

Can coal be part of the solution to tackling climate change, asks CHRIS KITCHEN, general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers