Hundreds join demonstration in solidarity with striking coal mining museum workers

A rally held in Wakefield to show support for staff on strike at the National Coal Mining Museum was attended by hundreds of people over the weekend.

More than 40 workers have been on strike since mid-August in a dispute over pay. During that time, managers at the museum have only put forward one offer – which for many staff was worse than a previous offer rejected before the strike began.

Eric Richardson (photo credit: Sharlston Colliery)

Striking worker Eric Richardson, a former miner who took part in the national miners’ strike 40 years ago, addressed the rally:

“Thank you to the public who’ve supported us during this strike, joining us on the picket line.

“We’ve had councillors come to the picket line, coming forward and supporting our strike.

“Wakefield Council’s meeting was astonishing – a cross-party resolution unanimously in favour of supporting this strike, and stopping finances going to the National Coal Mining Museum.

“These trustees are so ridiculously out of touch. They are not acting in a responsible manner. A trustee is responsible to the trust and to its beneficiaries.

“We’ve got mining through our veins. Let’s get rid of these trustees and get someone in who has mining blood through their body.”

Other speakers included the Labour MP for Normanton and Hemsworth, Jon Trickett, and the leader of Wakefield Council, Denise Jeffery, who recently stood down as a patron of the National Coal Mining Museum, saying that she does not believe managers want to resolve the strike.

The TUC’s North East, Yorkshire & the Humber regional secretary, Dave Pike also addressed the rally. Representatives of other trade unions including Unite, the National Union of Mineworkers, and IGBE, the historical German Union of Mining and Energy (IG Bergbau und Energie) also attended.

UNISON says the turnout demonstrates the support the public has with the striking workers. It is also a further demonstration that the public have lost confidence in the museum’s chief executive, Lynn Dunning, and board of trustees.

Addressing the demonstration, UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Rianne Hooley said: “Hope Pit and Caphouse Colliery is the last deep underground mine complex in England. It is a site of national and international significance. That is why it is a national museum.

“It is funded by you and me – the taxpayer. The chief executive and the board of trustees are supposed to be the custodians of our heritage. They are not delivering on their objectives.

“We’re not just fighting for fair pay. We are fighting for the very survival of that museum.”

Denise Jeffery (photo credit: Sharlston Colliery)

During her address to the rally, leader of Wakefield Council, Denise Jeffery said: “I have met with the chair (of trustees) and (museum chief executive) Lynn Dunning and asked them to get round the table.

“We’re talking peanuts. We need to get this back on track. But I have a real fear that they don’t want to do that.

“It’s not just about pay. It’s about fighting for the future of this museum, which matters so much to this district.

“We, as Wakefield Council, are behind you every step of the way.”

Labour MP for Normanton and Hemsworth Jon Trickett told the demonstration: “To the strikers who are here today: your courage is inspiring.

“You are fighting not simply for a proper income, which you are entitled to, but you’re also fighting for something more important, which is the memory of what went before.

Jon Trickett (photo credit: Sharlston Colliery)

“The management are a disgrace. I’ve had a series of exchanges and letters with the chair of the board of trustees. You never get a straight answer from them.

“If they think they are going to close that pit, let me tell you something, they’re making a mistake. We are not going to tolerate it.”