The miners strike - A testament to solidarity and activism..

Fight. Organize.

In 1984 a group of independent film and video makers decided to show their support for the miners' strike using the tools they had available: their cameras. On the picket lines, at the marches and in the soup kitchens, they recorded the testimonies of the striking miners, their wives and supporters, in a fight against anti-strike propaganda dominating the mainstream media.

A testament to solidarity and activism, the tapes tackle issues which continue to occupy us today: the right to demonstrate, police tactics, political double-speak, the role of the media. They are a crucial document of a cataclysmic episode of British history.

JOSIE SMITH, A RETIRED AND DISABLED MINER ARRESTED OUTSIDE HIS HOME. THE POLICE PROVOKED MORE ILL FEELING AS THEY INSISTED ON WALKING STRIKE-BREAKERS THROUGH THE VILLAGE TO AND FROM THE COLLIERY. FREQUENT SKIRMISHES ENSUED, IN THIS ONE; JOSIE WAS ARRESTED BUT LATER RELEASED TO THE RELIEF OF HIS DISTRAUGHT WIFE.

These six short films, released for the first time, are a crucial document of a cataclysmic episode of British history 25 years ago. A testament to solidarity and activism, the Miners’ Campaign Tapes tackle issues which continue to occupy us today: the right to demonstrate, police tactics, political double-speak, and the role of the media.

Not Just Tea and Sandwiches

Examines the role played in the strike by the miners’ wives, whom the tabloids falsely painted as being vocally opposed to their action. Their determination and resolve can’t help but recall the solidarity of the miners’ wives of Harlan County U.S.A. during another hard fought industrial dispute.

The Coal Board’s Butchery

The running down of the coal industry under Ian McGregor and suggests that Margaret Thatcher’s long-term plan is to break the unions and hand all nationalised industries over to the private sector.

Solidarity

Looks at wider trade union support for the miners and the links with other unions at a time when attempts to crush any secondary action were already under way.

Straight Speaking

Dennis Skinner provides the facts and history behind the strike and responds directly to some of the statements made about the miners and their action by Ian MacGregor.

The Lie Machine

A detailed assault on press coverage of the strike, presented by Gavin Richards of the Campaign Tape Project. Left-wing journalist Paul Foot contributes some analysis and the editing of BBC footage is questioned.

Only Doing Their Job

Looks at the police handling of the miners’ strike.

MARCH 1985. EASINGTON MINERS WELFARE HALL, STRIKERS VOTE TO RETURN TO WORK WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT.