Mining Strikes

The first national coal strikes took place during the nineteenth century. In 1893 many miners went on strike because the price of coal had dropped so, in order for the colliery owners to make more profit, they reduced the miners' wages. The miners rejected this reduction in wages and they were 'locked out' of work and were not allowed to return until they accepted the reduction in pay. Miners were brought in from other areas to work the pits, and due to hardship some miners started to return back to work under the agreed pay terms. During the violence and rioting that followed mine owners brought in the police and troops to guard their collieries.