British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miners'
Jul 29th 2012, 9:25 pm
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British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miners'
British trade unions and ex-miners are organized to help the coal strike in Asturias, Aragon and Leon
EDUARDO MURIEL - MADRID
Thousands of miners, relatives, neighbors of the mining and citizens gathered yesterday in Leon in a crowded nightlife - Reuters
The ongoing conflict since two weeks ago the miners in Aragon, Leon and Asturias is transcending borders. Various groups and unions in several countries, among which are Portugal, Australia or America, have already shown their support to the strike in the coal sector.
However, it is in England where more samples are coming solidarity. Yesterday, a group of former British miners announced that it will raise money to support the families of the Spanish strikers, an initiative that was endorsed by filmmaker Ken Loach.
"Your strike is an inspiration and deserves the support of working people around the world"
Today has been the general secretary of RMT, the largest transportation union in the UK with over 80,000 members, Bob Crow, who wanted to express support for those who "struggle against austerity and attempts by the Government to the miners and the working people of Spain to pay for the capitalist crisis. "
In a letter to CCOO, UGT and other unions involved in the conflict, Crow has claimed that the Spanish government has offered to the miners to pay "the debt of banks and financial speculators whose greed has created the crisis." "Your strikes, occupations and demonstrations are an inspiration and deserve the support of working people around the world," he added.
"This strike is similar to that of Great Britain in 1984, when the Spanish helped us"
Growing Support in United Kingdom
The English trade union leader has warned that the struggle of the miners becoming more known in the UK, "despite being ignored by the media capitalists." On behalf of the union that represents, Crow has pledged to "do our part by encouraging solidarity" with the miners.
"We realize alarmed that the weight of the Spanish state is falling on you, like the British state power was directed against the miners in Britain in 1984 and 1985, when Spanish miners gave us valuable assistance," said . "There is nothing that capitalists fear more than the united and determined resistance of working people," has settled.
The committee will come to Spain ex-miners
"We believe that the struggle of the Spanish miners is very important for workers in Europe"
As the strike took place in Asturias, Aragon and Leon, a group of former employees of the British coal industry, hardened union struggles against the policies of Margaret Thatcher in the 80, closely followed the demonstrations. On the Web 'The miners' list', the ex-miners were arguing about the strike and concluded that they should do something to help the "Spanish comrades."
Said and done, some of them were in a pub in the train station in Sheffield on Monday. There he conceived the Committee in Support of Spanish Miners, already underway. "We are all internationalists and we believe that the struggle of the Spanish miners is very important for workers in Europe," explained Public committee spokesman, John Cunningham.
Among the objectives that are put, is to publicize the strike from the point of view of the miners. "Will extend the message of solidarity as much as humanly possible, and also collect money and send to families in Spain," he explains.
A strike "very important for Europe"
Cunningham, in his perspective as a veteran miner, mutual support values above all. "When you're mining, solidarity is as important as the air you breathe. Anyone who breaks with this tradition is a scab, worse than dog shit" sentence.
"We will be with the Spanish miners, as they were by our side"
That's why it takes so seriously the fact of helping Spanish strikers. He still remembers when, in the 80 in the British miners' struggle against the policies of Margaret Thatcher, "We received wonderful support from the Spanish miners, we have never forgotten."
"Personally I visited Asturias during the strike of 1984-1985," he says before making clear that "are indebted to the Spanish miners, and we with them just as they were on our side."
"We hope our visit will be a morale booster," said Cunningham
In the context of the current strike, Cunningham believes this is "very important, since it is the first strike of a section of the European working class against the austerity measures." Therefore, they believe that the "example" of the Spanish miners is "an inspiration to us all."
The next weekend, two representatives of the Committee will travel to Asturias to collect information and talk to the miners and their families, with the intention of returning to the UK and add support to fight. "We also hope that our visit is a morale booster and show our Spanish comrades are not alone", he says
Translation of
http://www.publico.es/espana/436883/...eros-espanoles
EDUARDO MURIEL - MADRID
Thousands of miners, relatives, neighbors of the mining and citizens gathered yesterday in Leon in a crowded nightlife - Reuters
The ongoing conflict since two weeks ago the miners in Aragon, Leon and Asturias is transcending borders. Various groups and unions in several countries, among which are Portugal, Australia or America, have already shown their support to the strike in the coal sector.
However, it is in England where more samples are coming solidarity. Yesterday, a group of former British miners announced that it will raise money to support the families of the Spanish strikers, an initiative that was endorsed by filmmaker Ken Loach.
"Your strike is an inspiration and deserves the support of working people around the world"
Today has been the general secretary of RMT, the largest transportation union in the UK with over 80,000 members, Bob Crow, who wanted to express support for those who "struggle against austerity and attempts by the Government to the miners and the working people of Spain to pay for the capitalist crisis. "
In a letter to CCOO, UGT and other unions involved in the conflict, Crow has claimed that the Spanish government has offered to the miners to pay "the debt of banks and financial speculators whose greed has created the crisis." "Your strikes, occupations and demonstrations are an inspiration and deserve the support of working people around the world," he added.
"This strike is similar to that of Great Britain in 1984, when the Spanish helped us"
Growing Support in United Kingdom
The English trade union leader has warned that the struggle of the miners becoming more known in the UK, "despite being ignored by the media capitalists." On behalf of the union that represents, Crow has pledged to "do our part by encouraging solidarity" with the miners.
"We realize alarmed that the weight of the Spanish state is falling on you, like the British state power was directed against the miners in Britain in 1984 and 1985, when Spanish miners gave us valuable assistance," said . "There is nothing that capitalists fear more than the united and determined resistance of working people," has settled.
The committee will come to Spain ex-miners
"We believe that the struggle of the Spanish miners is very important for workers in Europe"
As the strike took place in Asturias, Aragon and Leon, a group of former employees of the British coal industry, hardened union struggles against the policies of Margaret Thatcher in the 80, closely followed the demonstrations. On the Web 'The miners' list', the ex-miners were arguing about the strike and concluded that they should do something to help the "Spanish comrades."
Said and done, some of them were in a pub in the train station in Sheffield on Monday. There he conceived the Committee in Support of Spanish Miners, already underway. "We are all internationalists and we believe that the struggle of the Spanish miners is very important for workers in Europe," explained Public committee spokesman, John Cunningham.
Among the objectives that are put, is to publicize the strike from the point of view of the miners. "Will extend the message of solidarity as much as humanly possible, and also collect money and send to families in Spain," he explains.
A strike "very important for Europe"
Cunningham, in his perspective as a veteran miner, mutual support values above all. "When you're mining, solidarity is as important as the air you breathe. Anyone who breaks with this tradition is a scab, worse than dog shit" sentence.
"We will be with the Spanish miners, as they were by our side"
That's why it takes so seriously the fact of helping Spanish strikers. He still remembers when, in the 80 in the British miners' struggle against the policies of Margaret Thatcher, "We received wonderful support from the Spanish miners, we have never forgotten."
"Personally I visited Asturias during the strike of 1984-1985," he says before making clear that "are indebted to the Spanish miners, and we with them just as they were on our side."
"We hope our visit will be a morale booster," said Cunningham
In the context of the current strike, Cunningham believes this is "very important, since it is the first strike of a section of the European working class against the austerity measures." Therefore, they believe that the "example" of the Spanish miners is "an inspiration to us all."
The next weekend, two representatives of the Committee will travel to Asturias to collect information and talk to the miners and their families, with the intention of returning to the UK and add support to fight. "We also hope that our visit is a morale booster and show our Spanish comrades are not alone", he says
Translation of
http://www.publico.es/espana/436883/...eros-espanoles
Last edited by Relampago; Jul 29th 2012 at 9:31 pm.
Jul 29th 2012, 9:57 pm
#2
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
Whilst I've heard quite a bit about the miners unrest I confess to not knowing the full details.
I presume its about mine closures and job losses, ...so what's your view Rel. ?
I hope they're not simply playing politics as was the case in the UK.
I presume its about mine closures and job losses, ...so what's your view Rel. ?
I hope they're not simply playing politics as was the case in the UK.
Jul 29th 2012, 10:50 pm
#3
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
My dad came from a mining family and he was relieved when they closed the pits in the Uk and didnt approve of the political struggle in the UK all those years ago. The last thing he wanted was for his children or nephews to have to face going down the pits to work.
Altho he's long since passed away he would turn in his grave if he thought that people were still fighting for these dreadful places to be kept open
Jo
Altho he's long since passed away he would turn in his grave if he thought that people were still fighting for these dreadful places to be kept open
Jo
Jul 29th 2012, 11:41 pm
#4
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
back in the 30's my father was told by his older brothers they would stand together at the gate to prevent him going down the mines, he never did.
sometimes he used to talk about it as if it was a failing on his part to have not gone down, but even so he didnt live any longer than his brothers.
sometimes he used to talk about it as if it was a failing on his part to have not gone down, but even so he didnt live any longer than his brothers.
Jul 30th 2012, 2:45 am
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
My dad came from a mining family and he was relieved when they closed the pits in the Uk and didnt approve of the political struggle in the UK all those years ago. The last thing he wanted was for his children or nephews to have to face going down the pits to work.
Altho he's long since passed away he would turn in his grave if he thought that people were still fighting for these dreadful places to be kept open
Jo
Altho he's long since passed away he would turn in his grave if he thought that people were still fighting for these dreadful places to be kept open
Jo
Jul 30th 2012, 2:48 am
#6
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,518
Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
British trade unions and ex-miners are organized to help the coal strike in Asturias, Aragon and Leon
EDUARDO MURIEL - MADRID
Thousands of miners, relatives, neighbors of the mining and citizens gathered yesterday in Leon in a crowded nightlife - Reuters
The ongoing conflict since two weeks ago the miners in Aragon, Leon and Asturias is transcending borders. Various groups and unions in several countries, among which are Portugal, Australia or America, have already shown their support to the strike in the coal sector.
However, it is in England where more samples are coming solidarity. Yesterday, a group of former British miners announced that it will raise money to support the families of the Spanish strikers, an initiative that was endorsed by filmmaker Ken Loach.
"Your strike is an inspiration and deserves the support of working people around the world"
Today has been the general secretary of RMT, the largest transportation union in the UK with over 80,000 members, Bob Crow, who wanted to express support for those who "struggle against austerity and attempts by the Government to the miners and the working people of Spain to pay for the capitalist crisis. "
In a letter to CCOO, UGT and other unions involved in the conflict, Crow has claimed that the Spanish government has offered to the miners to pay "the debt of banks and financial speculators whose greed has created the crisis." "Your strikes, occupations and demonstrations are an inspiration and deserve the support of working people around the world," he added.
"This strike is similar to that of Great Britain in 1984, when the Spanish helped us"
Growing Support in United Kingdom
The English trade union leader has warned that the struggle of the miners becoming more known in the UK, "despite being ignored by the media capitalists." On behalf of the union that represents, Crow has pledged to "do our part by encouraging solidarity" with the miners.
"We realize alarmed that the weight of the Spanish state is falling on you, like the British state power was directed against the miners in Britain in 1984 and 1985, when Spanish miners gave us valuable assistance," said . "There is nothing that capitalists fear more than the united and determined resistance of working people," has settled.
The committee will come to Spain ex-miners
"We believe that the struggle of the Spanish miners is very important for workers in Europe"
As the strike took place in Asturias, Aragon and Leon, a group of former employees of the British coal industry, hardened union struggles against the policies of Margaret Thatcher in the 80, closely followed the demonstrations. On the Web 'The miners' list', the ex-miners were arguing about the strike and concluded that they should do something to help the "Spanish comrades."
Said and done, some of them were in a pub in the train station in Sheffield on Monday. There he conceived the Committee in Support of Spanish Miners, already underway. "We are all internationalists and we believe that the struggle of the Spanish miners is very important for workers in Europe," explained Public committee spokesman, John Cunningham.
Among the objectives that are put, is to publicize the strike from the point of view of the miners. "Will extend the message of solidarity as much as humanly possible, and also collect money and send to families in Spain," he explains.
A strike "very important for Europe"
Cunningham, in his perspective as a veteran miner, mutual support values above all. "When you're mining, solidarity is as important as the air you breathe. Anyone who breaks with this tradition is a scab, worse than dog shit" sentence.
"We will be with the Spanish miners, as they were by our side"
That's why it takes so seriously the fact of helping Spanish strikers. He still remembers when, in the 80 in the British miners' struggle against the policies of Margaret Thatcher, "We received wonderful support from the Spanish miners, we have never forgotten."
"Personally I visited Asturias during the strike of 1984-1985," he says before making clear that "are indebted to the Spanish miners, and we with them just as they were on our side."
"We hope our visit will be a morale booster," said Cunningham
In the context of the current strike, Cunningham believes this is "very important, since it is the first strike of a section of the European working class against the austerity measures." Therefore, they believe that the "example" of the Spanish miners is "an inspiration to us all."
The next weekend, two representatives of the Committee will travel to Asturias to collect information and talk to the miners and their families, with the intention of returning to the UK and add support to fight. "We also hope that our visit is a morale booster and show our Spanish comrades are not alone", he says
Translation of
http://www.publico.es/espana/436883/...eros-espanoles
EDUARDO MURIEL - MADRID
Thousands of miners, relatives, neighbors of the mining and citizens gathered yesterday in Leon in a crowded nightlife - Reuters
The ongoing conflict since two weeks ago the miners in Aragon, Leon and Asturias is transcending borders. Various groups and unions in several countries, among which are Portugal, Australia or America, have already shown their support to the strike in the coal sector.
However, it is in England where more samples are coming solidarity. Yesterday, a group of former British miners announced that it will raise money to support the families of the Spanish strikers, an initiative that was endorsed by filmmaker Ken Loach.
"Your strike is an inspiration and deserves the support of working people around the world"
Today has been the general secretary of RMT, the largest transportation union in the UK with over 80,000 members, Bob Crow, who wanted to express support for those who "struggle against austerity and attempts by the Government to the miners and the working people of Spain to pay for the capitalist crisis. "
In a letter to CCOO, UGT and other unions involved in the conflict, Crow has claimed that the Spanish government has offered to the miners to pay "the debt of banks and financial speculators whose greed has created the crisis." "Your strikes, occupations and demonstrations are an inspiration and deserve the support of working people around the world," he added.
"This strike is similar to that of Great Britain in 1984, when the Spanish helped us"
Growing Support in United Kingdom
The English trade union leader has warned that the struggle of the miners becoming more known in the UK, "despite being ignored by the media capitalists." On behalf of the union that represents, Crow has pledged to "do our part by encouraging solidarity" with the miners.
"We realize alarmed that the weight of the Spanish state is falling on you, like the British state power was directed against the miners in Britain in 1984 and 1985, when Spanish miners gave us valuable assistance," said . "There is nothing that capitalists fear more than the united and determined resistance of working people," has settled.
The committee will come to Spain ex-miners
"We believe that the struggle of the Spanish miners is very important for workers in Europe"
As the strike took place in Asturias, Aragon and Leon, a group of former employees of the British coal industry, hardened union struggles against the policies of Margaret Thatcher in the 80, closely followed the demonstrations. On the Web 'The miners' list', the ex-miners were arguing about the strike and concluded that they should do something to help the "Spanish comrades."
Said and done, some of them were in a pub in the train station in Sheffield on Monday. There he conceived the Committee in Support of Spanish Miners, already underway. "We are all internationalists and we believe that the struggle of the Spanish miners is very important for workers in Europe," explained Public committee spokesman, John Cunningham.
Among the objectives that are put, is to publicize the strike from the point of view of the miners. "Will extend the message of solidarity as much as humanly possible, and also collect money and send to families in Spain," he explains.
A strike "very important for Europe"
Cunningham, in his perspective as a veteran miner, mutual support values above all. "When you're mining, solidarity is as important as the air you breathe. Anyone who breaks with this tradition is a scab, worse than dog shit" sentence.
"We will be with the Spanish miners, as they were by our side"
That's why it takes so seriously the fact of helping Spanish strikers. He still remembers when, in the 80 in the British miners' struggle against the policies of Margaret Thatcher, "We received wonderful support from the Spanish miners, we have never forgotten."
"Personally I visited Asturias during the strike of 1984-1985," he says before making clear that "are indebted to the Spanish miners, and we with them just as they were on our side."
"We hope our visit will be a morale booster," said Cunningham
In the context of the current strike, Cunningham believes this is "very important, since it is the first strike of a section of the European working class against the austerity measures." Therefore, they believe that the "example" of the Spanish miners is "an inspiration to us all."
The next weekend, two representatives of the Committee will travel to Asturias to collect information and talk to the miners and their families, with the intention of returning to the UK and add support to fight. "We also hope that our visit is a morale booster and show our Spanish comrades are not alone", he says
Translation of
http://www.publico.es/espana/436883/...eros-espanoles
Jul 30th 2012, 7:59 am
#7
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
Bob Crow was never a miner, being an underground railwayman from Essex where there are no mines.
Being a good Communist, as of 2009, his basic salary at RMT was £94,747; a 12% increase from the previous year. His entire pay package with bonuses and pensions was £133,138; on top of this he claimed £9,989 in expenses and £2,376 in travel costs. But lives in a Housing Association property - shades of Baroness Uddin!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Crow
Seems all men are equal, some more than others
Being a good Communist, as of 2009, his basic salary at RMT was £94,747; a 12% increase from the previous year. His entire pay package with bonuses and pensions was £133,138; on top of this he claimed £9,989 in expenses and £2,376 in travel costs. But lives in a Housing Association property - shades of Baroness Uddin!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Crow
Seems all men are equal, some more than others
Jul 30th 2012, 8:01 am
#8
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
Yes, it's about closures. The coal is very expensive to mine and it's pretty crappy stuff anyway, so it's hard to compete with cheaper, better coal mined elsewhere. It's heavily subsidised and the government plan to reduce the subsidies by 60% and gradually close down the mines over several years. Bit like UK, the miners think they are a special case, that they should be excused from the cuts that have to be made. Never an easy decision, but it can't be subsidized forever, it's highly unprofitable with no prospects of ever getting any better.
Jul 30th 2012, 8:22 am
#9
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
Bob Crow was never a miner, being an underground railwayman from Essex where there are no mines.
Being a good Communist, as of 2009, his basic salary at RMT was £94,747; a 12% increase from the previous year. His entire pay package with bonuses and pensions was £133,138; on top of this he claimed £9,989 in expenses and £2,376 in travel costs. But lives in a Housing Association property - shades of Baroness Uddin!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Crow
Seems all men are equal, some more than others
Being a good Communist, as of 2009, his basic salary at RMT was £94,747; a 12% increase from the previous year. His entire pay package with bonuses and pensions was £133,138; on top of this he claimed £9,989 in expenses and £2,376 in travel costs. But lives in a Housing Association property - shades of Baroness Uddin!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Crow
Seems all men are equal, some more than others
Jul 30th 2012, 9:05 am
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
No doubt the uk union members will have a whip round to raise some funds to send Bob and his mates on a nice all expenses paid Spanish holiday to spread the glad tidings.
Jul 30th 2012, 9:11 am
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
My dad came from a mining family and he was relieved when they closed the pits in the Uk and didnt approve of the political struggle in the UK all those years ago. The last thing he wanted was for his children or nephews to have to face going down the pits to work.
Altho he's long since passed away he would turn in his grave if he thought that people were still fighting for these dreadful places to be kept open
Jo
Altho he's long since passed away he would turn in his grave if he thought that people were still fighting for these dreadful places to be kept open
Jo
While conditions did improve quite a bit later on, its no place I would ever wish any of my family to go.
Jul 30th 2012, 9:22 am
#12
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
Yes, it's about closures. The coal is very expensive to mine and it's pretty crappy stuff anyway, so it's hard to compete with cheaper, better coal mined elsewhere. It's heavily subsidised and the government plan to reduce the subsidies by 60% and gradually close down the mines over several years. Bit like UK, the miners think they are a special case, that they should be excused from the cuts that have to be made. Never an easy decision, but it can't be subsidized forever, it's highly unprofitable with no prospects of ever getting any better.
Jul 30th 2012, 9:48 am
#13
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
I spent much of my early days watching miners die a cruel death from silicosis long before their time and listening to messages for ever coming in about serious accidents down below.
While conditions did improve quite a bit later on, its no place I would ever wish any of my family to go.
While conditions did improve quite a bit later on, its no place I would ever wish any of my family to go.
When men have to travel for an hour just to get to the coal face then either they dig another pit or just walk away from it. It cannot be safe - especially the ones that go under the North Sea off Newcastle way.
then that is men's livelihood, but a free bag of coal every week for the widows and orphans isnt quite the same.
Jul 30th 2012, 10:04 am
#14
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
The miners do a job most of us wouldn't want to do, but they do retire at 50 and most of them with more than double the average Spanish pension. Some up to €3,000 a month. No wonder they want to keep their jobs!
La auténtica 'lucha' de los mineros: mantener sus prejubilaciones de oro
Los mineros se prejubilan con menos de 50 años y hasta 3.000 euros al mes. El recorte de las ayudas excluirá a muchos trabajadores de este régimen.
Los mineros se prejubilan con menos de 50 años y hasta 3.000 euros al mes. El recorte de las ayudas excluirá a muchos trabajadores de este régimen.
Jul 31st 2012, 10:23 am
#15
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Re: British miners: "We have not forgotten the wonderful support of the spanish miner
seems to me that if an industry is producing something with ever-declining demand, perhaps it should either downsize, or maybe it shouldn't even exist?
