UK National coal strike of 1912

The national coal strike of 1912 was the first national strike by coal miners in the United Kingdom. Its main goal was securing a minimum wage. After 37 days, the government intervened and ended the strike by passing the Coal Mines Act, extending minimum wage provisions to the mining industry and certain other industries with many manual jobs.[1]

National coal strike of 1912
Postcard of strike from 1912
Date28 February – 6 April 1912 (1912-02-28 – 1912-04-06)
Location
United Kingdom
GoalsMining minimum wage
Resulted inExpansion of minimum wage to mining and other industries through the Coal Mines Act
Parties
MFGB
Coal Miners
Coal companies
Number
~1,000,000

The dispute centred upon an attempt by the Miners Federation of Great Britain, the main trade union representing coal miners, to secure a minimum wage for miners in their district and replace the complicated wage structure then in place which often made it difficult for a miner to earn a fair day's wage. The same issues had caused a major dispute the previous year in South Wales and had become a national issue. The strike was a repeat of the unsuccessful strike of 1894 which also sought a minimum wage.

The strike began at the end of February in Alfreton, Derbyshire and spread nationwide. Nearly one million miners took part. It ended on 6 April after 37 days.[2] The strike caused considerable disruption to train and shipping schedules.

People picking coal to heat their homes
A sketch by Boardman Robinson depicting a miner emerging out of the earth with a pick axe and head seeking the light up. (in reference to coal strikes of 1912 in the US and UK)

See also

References
  1. Brian R. Mitchell (1984). Economic Development of the British Coal Industry, 1800-1914. CUP Archive. pp. 190–1.
  2. The Manchester Guardian (8 April 1912).
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