MILITANT former NUM leader Arthur Scargill was yesterday back on the picket line — at a coal mining museum.
Scargill — once dubbed Old King Coal — joined staff after they walked out in a pay dispute.
Workers include dozens of ex-miners who conduct underground tours at the former colliery in Wakefield, West Yorks, now the National Coal Mining Museum.
When the 84-year-old turned up, the Unison branch tweeted: “Arthur Scargill is on our picket line talking to ex-miners — this is a bit emotional.”
Earlier a union official posted: “The phone has just rung. A voice said, ‘Hello, it’s Arthur Scargill, I used to be the president of the NUM.’
I said: ‘I know who Arthur Scargill is.’ Anyhow, long and short of it is that he’s joining us on the picket line.”
READ MORE ON STRIKES
Unions cancel day of rail strikes to avoid Poppy Appeal clash
Christmas travel warning – Brits face queues & cancelled flights this winter
Scargill was leader of the National Union of Mineworkers from 1982 to 2002. He led a mass walkout in 1984 in a battle with Margaret Thatcher’s government over pit closures.
The year-long strike collapsed in 1985 when miners voted to return to work in a humiliating defeat for Scargill.
During the bitter dispute he was famously arrested at Orgreave — scene of the most violent clashes between police and pickets — and fined £250 for obstruction.
The picket line at the mining museum during a five-day strike has been far more peaceful.
Most read in The Sun
Full I'm A Celebrity 2022 line up revealed
I’m a mum-of-11 by eight dads, people are shocked by my life but I don’t care
Mum shows off cheap B&M buy which helps her washing dry without a tumble dryer
Emmerdale star quits ITV soap after 3 years to pursue new roles
Staff walked out after the charity in charge offered them a 4.2 per cent pay rise, plus 25p an hour.
Guide Eric Richardson said: “We aren’t asking for a massive pay rise, we want something the museum can afford.
“We need it, due to inflation. We all go to the same supermarkets and the same garages to fill up our cars.
“The museum is where we want to be.
Read More on The Sun
Man makes kid cry at Disney World by blocking her view but people are on HIS side
I’m plus-size & found the perfect jeans in the supermarket, they’re a steal
"We enjoy it.”
The museum charity said: “We still hope that this situation can be resolved.”
Source: Read Full Article