Remembering the Battle of Saltley Gate
the workers united will never be defeated | 27.01.2012 23:59 | History | Public sector cuts | Workers' Movements | Birmingham
Militant strike action that brought down the government.
On November 30th last year millions of workers went on strike across the country
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/birmingham/2011/12/489831.html, the biggest general strike since 1926. Earlier in the year there was a similar one day mass strike on June 30th and there have been smaller strikes happing throughout the year https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/birmingham/2012/01/491367.html, http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/birmingham/2011/12/490171.html, http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/06/480579.html, all fighting against cuts and austerity measures. February 10th will be the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Saltley Gate, an event which important lessons and inspiration can be taken for anyone fighting austerity and cuts today. Then as now a Conservative government were resolute on destroying the working class, who respond with the first national coal strike since 1926. Crucially they were supported by other workers, in Birmingham 30,000 engineers walked out in a solidarity strike. 15,000 of these engineers then marched to join 2000 striking miners who were picketing Saltley coke depot (the last remaining open fuel depot). This forced the police, who had kept the gates open until this point, to close the gates. This was the straw that broke the camels back, around the country tens of thousands of miners had been involved in strikes, shutting down coal depots, docks and even power stations. But the closure of Saltley though solidarity action untimely led to the collapse of the government.
On November 30th last year millions of workers went on strike across the country
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/birmingham/2011/12/489831.html, the biggest general strike since 1926. Earlier in the year there was a similar one day mass strike on June 30th and there have been smaller strikes happing throughout the year https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/birmingham/2012/01/491367.html, http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/birmingham/2011/12/490171.html, http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/06/480579.html, all fighting against cuts and austerity measures. February 10th will be the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Saltley Gate, an event which important lessons and inspiration can be taken for anyone fighting austerity and cuts today. Then as now a Conservative government were resolute on destroying the working class, who respond with the first national coal strike since 1926. Crucially they were supported by other workers, in Birmingham 30,000 engineers walked out in a solidarity strike. 15,000 of these engineers then marched to join 2000 striking miners who were picketing Saltley coke depot (the last remaining open fuel depot). This forced the police, who had kept the gates open until this point, to close the gates. This was the straw that broke the camels back, around the country tens of thousands of miners had been involved in strikes, shutting down coal depots, docks and even power stations. But the closure of Saltley though solidarity action untimely led to the collapse of the government.
On 9th January 1972 the National Union of Mineworkers went on strike for the first time since 1926 to fight against the pay deals being imposed on them (£1.60 a week). Solidarity was given from other unions and the TUC agreed all unions should respect the pickets, this resulted in a major disruption to the movement of coal to power stations. This aim was further achieved through “flying pickets” who went round the country stopping any movement of coal.
By this point supplies were so low that the government had prioritised coking works to only supply to customers like hospitals whilst the rest of the country was put on a three day week. Saltley Coking works in Birmingham, owned by the West Midlands Gas Board decided to ignore this prioritisation. On 4th February around 200 Saltley workers went on strike, however this wasn't enough to close it so 2000 more reinforcement strikers from around the country joined the picket. It soon became apparent however that it would need even bigger numbers if Saltley was to be closed.
Solidarity came from other workers as 15,000 marched to Saltley on February 10th to resist the 700 strong police and force the gates shut. The strike was a success with the miners winning a 21 per cent rise and the Tory government left badly defeated.
The 40th anniversary will be celebrated by union members at Saltley Gate roundabout at 11am on Friday, February 10th and will be attended by Arthur Scargill .
By this point supplies were so low that the government had prioritised coking works to only supply to customers like hospitals whilst the rest of the country was put on a three day week. Saltley Coking works in Birmingham, owned by the West Midlands Gas Board decided to ignore this prioritisation. On 4th February around 200 Saltley workers went on strike, however this wasn't enough to close it so 2000 more reinforcement strikers from around the country joined the picket. It soon became apparent however that it would need even bigger numbers if Saltley was to be closed.
Solidarity came from other workers as 15,000 marched to Saltley on February 10th to resist the 700 strong police and force the gates shut. The strike was a success with the miners winning a 21 per cent rise and the Tory government left badly defeated.
The 40th anniversary will be celebrated by union members at Saltley Gate roundabout at 11am on Friday, February 10th and will be attended by Arthur Scargill .
the workers united will never be defeated
