AS THE end of Johnson as prime minister is upon us, something else has been happening. People are talking about and taking an interest in trade unions, the miners’ strike and what collectivism is all about.

Last month marked the 38th anniversary of that pivotal day of extreme state-ordered violence at the Orgreave coking plant during the 1984-85 strike, and the streets of Sheffield on June 18 2022 were filled with music, banners and our steadfast supporters. 

What was noticeable, though, were the large numbers of young people present, wearing their Orgreave T-shirts, carrying their homemade solidarity banners and sharing conversations with ex-miners and Women Against Pit Closures about their own struggles in 2022.

The strike was always about saving jobs, but in the knowledge that the Tory government was lying about the true number of job losses on the cards. 

It was also about standing up to the rabid advancement of Thatcherism, predicted so accurately by the NUM. While we campaign for justice for the miners at Orgreave who were beaten by police following the command of the state and the 95 who faced the risk of life imprisonment before all being acquitted at Sheffield Crown Court, we know we can only get justice by a full and frank acceptance that the whole of the strike was provoked in order to destroy the trade union movement so nationalised industries could be sold off one by one and the free markets could rule.

The young activists on our Orgreave rally last month recognise that in the outcome of the miners’ strike lay their future, because they are living with the consequences and they strive against the legacy of Tory pit closures. 

The very fact that these connections are now being more readily made and reference to the great struggles the miners have had, should fill us with hope. Many young people are joining trade unions.

Of course, the mainstream media has been talking about the miners’ strike too. The BBC drama, Sherwood, that aired recently got people talking. 

Of course, it was a drama and there were many aspects of that dramatic licence that the writer, James Graham, chose to use, which many, including myself, did not like. 

However, the accuracy of the references to the use of undercover policing to infiltrate trade unions and campaigns, resulted in discussions in the mainstream media that are normally either ignored or ridiculed.

But most uplifting of late is our trade union movement’s current response to Tory policies and bad bosses. Their workplace organising and the strike action being taken and balloted for by many unions is galvanising. 

We applaud the work of all trade union members who are standing together, smashing thresholds and then getting overwhelming numbers in favour of strike action.

The RMT members deserve huge thanks and solidarity for dominating the media. Despite the brazen efforts of news commentators and reporters to spin a myth that the whole country was against the striking rail workers, this dramatically backfired and public opinion supporting the action simply grew. 

This was the largest national strike action in decades with around 40,000 workers on strike for three days. Naturally the miners’ strike of 1984-85 was referred to. Some, like Sky News, tried to insinuate untruths and resurrect an old lie of nasty, violent pickets. Mick Lynch’s calm explanation and gentle invitation to view what was right in front of everyone’s eyes was just one momentous media moment of the week, with another, being, of course, subsequent news interviews with Mick wearing an Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign sticker! 

The railway unions stood in solidarity throughout the 1984-85 strike and their members did not move one piece of coal. It was therefore heartening to see so many other unions attend in solidarity on the RMT picket line. 

The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaigns were in attendance with our banners at picket lines in London and Sheffield, and we have to pay specific thanks to the Sheffield & District RMT Branch who have depicted “Orgreave” on one side of their magnificent banner.

The mainstream media is currently flooded with speculation over which Tory MP will take over as prime minister following the overdue resignation of Johnson. 

It is but white noise. All Tory MPs are culpable for the vicious and hateful policies they have meted out on us for the last 12 years and beyond. 

If the media choose to broadcast and print wall to wall coverage of this elitist blue fight, they do so at their peril. While they spin and advance a narrative hand in hand with the Establishment, we prepare to make all of their summers ones of discontent.

Orgreave and the miners’ strike are indicative of what class struggle has been about for the last four decades and our campaign is proud to be part of that and supported by the trade union movement. 

Just as you supported our comrades back then, we stand with you now. Listen very carefully in Durham! Amid the brass bands and speeches, the marching of feet and greetings between comrades, you will hear the soft, continuous drop of trade union ballot papers landing across the country. This time, we win!

Chris Peace, Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign.