Following the recent "unconstitutional" strike in the coal industry, during which more than 100,000 men were involved, it is instructive to reflect on the history of the NUM. Since its formation, not a day has been lost in official strike action. Taken by itself, this may not be particularly meaningful, until it is realised that the recent eruption of militancy was the most significant since 1924, and it was not supported by the national leadership. Added to which, the strike was in support of NUM policy, and in the recent election for the General Secretary the victorious candidate advocated the use of strikes. It is in this situation that trade union militants, particularly inside the NUM, should begin to question the nature and function of the NUM. The authors of a recently produced pamphlet, A Future For British Miners, attempt the task of questioning the role of the NUM leadership. They make a positive call for militant grass root organisation, and are using the pamphlet as a rallying point for this purpose. Because they produce an inaccurate analysis, their conclusions are nothing more than a restatement of "left reformist" views.
The fundamental fault in their reasoning is their inability to characterise the social nature of the NCB. Because they fail in this task they are incapable of developing a consistent attitude towards the NUM. What the NUM, and the authors of this pamphlet as well, should realise, is that the coal industry has a social role predetermined by its social and economic environment. This is a capitalist society and the function of the coal industry is to provide a cheap source of fuel for capitalism at large.
The NUM itself was formed in response to the structure of the NCB. Many of the new officials of the NCB had formerly been officials of the Miners'. Consequently the strong social ties, compounded by political allegiance to the Labour Government, were carried into the industrial relations field. The relations between labour and capital were successfully mystified. In these circumstances it is clearly no accident that the social role of the NUM has been one of diffusion of information and a transmission system of control.
To indicate the social role of the union, we only need to see the direction of their industrial activity. Offering solutions and attitudes on problems confronting the NCB. Lawrence Daly in his election pamphlet said, "By adopting more militant attitudes to secure a change in fuel policy we could save Britain from over-dependence on foreign fuel supplies" (my emphasis). What I am arguing is, not that such problems should be totally ignored, but that they should be of lower priority, and that representation of the men comes first. The authors of the pamphlet commit the same mistake, and consequently are incapable of offering any radical alternative to the existing leadership.
Their critique of the national leadership is summarised in a recognition of "the incompetence and lack of militancy of the National Executive". It clearly is not correct that the NEC is incompetent; within the structure in which they are working they are clearly very competent - if they were incompetent, the recent strike would have received official support. On the question of militancy, the above quote from L. Daly to some extent validates their second claim. However, surely the point is that there should be militancy for the correct objectives. Militancy for its own sake is often futile; militancy for the wrong objectives may be counter-productive.
In conclusion, bearing in mind my criticisms, I would support their call for the organisation of local committees. The development of a radical alternative to the bureaucratised NUM is of fundamental importance, particularly at the present time. It is of equal importance that the organisation should develop and discuss freely the ideas that will motivate its action. A Future For British Miners? is an initiative which should be welcomed. It does not, however, contain an analysis which is acceptable as a revolutionary alternative.
M. J. Ball (member of the NUM).