| Description | Tracks 1 - 7 Background Information
Tracks 8 - 10 Events at Saltley Gate
Tracks 11 - 12 Background Information
Tracks 13 - 17 Events at Saltley Gate
Tracks 18 - 20 Background Information
Tracks 21 - 23 Events at Saltley Gate
Charles Parker interviewed a number of South Wales miners in 1973 and 1974. Track 1 is identified as 'Culls from mining actuality beginning on tape 98; interview with Dick Beamish on 12/08/1974'. Track 2 is identified as 'Dai Francis, Secretary of the NUM in South Wales; interview on 11/05/1973'. Other miners are not specifically identified, but some at least are from Maerdy Colliery.
These recordings provide background information on the mining industry, particularly in South Wales over a period of years. Also considered is the industrial relations background to the 1972 miners' strike. The impact of the overtime ban prior to the strike is considered, as is the positive effect on miners' solidarity of the move from payment by piece work to payment for effort under the National Power Loading Agreement. Miners' attitudes to postwar developments in the mining industry are recorded, including the approach to and results of nationalisation, the skills and aptitude of managers in the mining industry, pit closures, working conditions and health risks. Demographic changes affecting the mining work force are also mentioned (Track 20).
Some recordings focus on events at Saltley and the approach taken by the NUM and by individual miners to the situation found there. Police tactics are described, as are NUM responses. Miners' reactions to working class solidarity displayed by Birmingham trades unionists are recorded. The support of miners' wives for the strike is mentioned (Track 16).
Total: 1 hour 03:52 muniutes
Dubber's reference number: PLA1of2 KF534B0279680 |