ROSSINGTON miners, near Doncaster, are continuing their struggle over bonuses. The official strike is now starting its fifth week. The miners want the bonus to kick in when the pit has produced 17,500 tonnes a week. UK Coal has offered to pay it at 21,500 tonnes a week.
Strikers lobbied the NUM executive last week and have now been promised wider support inside the industry. NUM leader Arthur Scargill has said he will do a meeting for the miners later this month. This support is welcome, but the NUM must very quickly make sure this strike is not isolated. It will set the tone for the battle with UK Coal over its future strategy of cutbacks and increased workload.
Support is starting to come in for the 300 Rossington strikers. It needs to be stepped up.
Send messages of support and donations to Rossington NUM, c/o Chris Skidmore, Rossington Miners Welfare, West End Lane, Rossington, South Yorkshire. To arrange delegations phone 01226 384 121.
Unions have called a general strike
Interview with a member of French revolutionary socialist group Autonomie de Classe
