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National Coal Strike of 1912 - searching through slag heap
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National Coal Strike of 1912 - searching through slag heap
The National Coal Strike of 1912 - searching through slag heap for pieces of coal to burn.. 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, establishing a minimum wage for the first time. 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. The strike caused considerable disruption to train and shipping schedules. Date: 1912
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Media ID 19711611
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Action Coal Finding Fuel Heap Miners Mining Nov19 Pieces Poor Poverty Searching Slag Strike Striking Trucks Wagons
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This poignant image captures the harsh realities of the National Coal Strike of 1912, as coal miners and their families search through the slag heap in desperate hopes of finding pieces of coal to burn. The strike, which began in late February 1912 in Alfreton, Derbyshire, and quickly spread throughout the United Kingdom, involved nearly one million coal miners seeking a minimum wage. Lasting for 37 days, the strike brought significant disruption to train and shipping schedules, causing widespread hardship and poverty. The coal industry was a major sector of the British economy during the early 1900s, employing over a million people. However, working conditions were often poor, with long hours, low wages, and dangerous working conditions. The miners, who were predominantly from working-class backgrounds, felt they had no choice but to take collective action to demand better wages and working conditions. The strike ended on April 6, 1912, when the government intervened and passed the Coal Mines Act, establishing a minimum wage for the first time. This marked a significant victory for the miners and paved the way for future labor rights and protections. This photograph, taken during the height of the strike, offers a glimpse into the challenging conditions faced by the coal miners and their families. The ocean and railway wagons, cars, and trucks in the background serve as a reminder of the industrial landscape that shaped the lives of these workers, while the slag heap and the miners' determined search for fuel underscore the stark reality of their struggle for basic necessities.
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