Civil War in the Coalfields: Coal Convoys Preparing to Outflank Pickets; Government Intends to Bankrupt NUM

In preparation for the early movement of strike-bound coal, police in the mining communities are stepping up the siege conditions in a desperate attempt to divert attention from the NCB/Government contingency plans. Government intransigence has provoked another death and all the signs are that nothing short of complete bankruptcy of the NUM and total destruction of union militancy will be settled for.

The NCB/Government/Police strategy is to push through a pincer attack: keep the pressure up at the pits where resistance is continuing, while at the same time getting ready for the massive convoys that will soon be sent to the strike-bound pits to move supplies to the power stations.

Their aim is to outflank the pickets. Already some parts of the country are under a state of virtual siege. South Wales and South Yorkshire especially.

With encouragement from the media a few decided to scab. But the response of the police was to treble their forces and to intensify their intimidation.

The result is near Civil War in many mining areas. It is little wonder with the sheer level of police intimidation that many communities have responded by organising for their defence. The media have portrayed the violence as madness; the reality is there is a war going on – a war against imposed poverty and forced resettlement. What we are all witnessing is the actions of a blood thirsty government out of control seeking total retribution.

Thatcher, Kinnock and TUC chief Willis are all anxiously trying to cool things down. A victorious NUM, using direct action, and with the direct support of the labour movement and rank and file trade unionists above the heads of the sell-out leadership: that is what unites this ‘triple alliance’ against those miners who refuse to give in.

If the other unions can show physical support, fair enough, But in the absence of such support, the NUM will inevitably turn to the Support Network, whose roots are as much in the communities as they are in the workplaces, to act as a reserve.

But why now have the state forces gone on to the offensive? – because the government has sensed that the time is approaching when the striking miners will need to call upon all their support for the final battle against Scab Coal.

The government is deeply afraid. Afraid that mass picketing will rise on a scale never before seen. Already the bourgeois press are talking about the threat of mass action that might pale Orgreave into insignificance.

Many of the Support Groups are self-organised; others are directly linked to the NUM. However they are organised, they can and should prepare for the Massive physical support the miners will need in the days to come.

If, and when, the word goes out the Support Groups will need to be ready for what ever is necessary: whether this means trebling the mass pickets or providing rearguard support in terms of creating diversions, sabotaging state reinforcements, etc.

The government has proven its resolve and determination not to give in and its foresight in preparing well in advance of the provoked strike. After nine months we have to prove that our resolve and our preparations are greater. This will undoubtedly mean arming ourselves with the expertise to deal effectively with riot-trained, truncheon-wielding cops, with massive numbers of amoral scab truckers, and with a professional army that would relish the idea of taking on an anti-state resistance.

We have already reported on the NUM’s appeal for further massive support on picket lines. Many have already responded. But in the days to come the coal convoys will be mobilised, backed up by the nationwide mobile riot cops. How these coming battles will be concluded will depend very much so on the wider support the Miners have been given from day one. Be prepared.

Black Flag, no.123, 10 December 1984.