The Miners' Next Step
Encyclopedia
The Miners' Next Step was an economic and political pamphlet
produced in 1912 calling for coal miners through their lodges, to embrace syndicalism
and a new 'scientific' trade union
ism. The pamphlet was written by the 'Unofficial Reform Committee' a group of syndaclist and socialists involved in the Plebs' League
and the Cambrian Combine strike of 1910-11. The main author is recognised as Noah Ablett
.
Ablett had embraced syndicalism while studying at Ruskin College, and was a founding member of the Plebs' League. On his return to Rhondda
, Ablett found himself in connection with like-minded socialists William Mainwaring
, Noah Rees, Will Hay and A.J. Cook
. In 1911 the Cambrian Combine dispute ended with the Tonypandy Riot
which in turn caused ill feeling towards the then Liberal government.
The Miners' Next Step was a sustained critique of the style of union leadership shown by the likes of William Abraham
who had been seen as too liberal in his dealing with the coalowners during such disputes as the Welsh coal strike of 1898
. The pamphlet called for the centralization of the miners' lodges for combating disputes, the adoption of a unified strike policy, the Nationalization of the mines and the 'elimination' of employers.
Pamphlet
A pamphlet is an unbound booklet . It may consist of a single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides and folded in half, in thirds, or in fourths , or it may consist of a few pages that are folded in half and saddle stapled at the crease to make a simple book...
produced in 1912 calling for coal miners through their lodges, to embrace syndicalism
Syndicalism
Syndicalism is a type of economic system proposed as a replacement for capitalism and an alternative to state socialism, which uses federations of collectivised trade unions or industrial unions...
and a new 'scientific' trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
ism. The pamphlet was written by the 'Unofficial Reform Committee' a group of syndaclist and socialists involved in the Plebs' League
Plebs' League
The Plebs' League was a British educational and political organisation which originated around Marxist ideals.Central to the formation of the League was Noah Ablett, a miner from the Rhondda who was at the core of a group at Ruskin College, Oxford who opposed the lecturers' opposition to Marxism...
and the Cambrian Combine strike of 1910-11. The main author is recognised as Noah Ablett
Noah Ablett
Noah Ablett was a trade unionist and political theorist who is most noted for writing 'The Miners' Next Step' a Syndicalist treaty which Ablett described as 'scientific trade unionism....
.
Ablett had embraced syndicalism while studying at Ruskin College, and was a founding member of the Plebs' League. On his return to Rhondda
Rhondda
Rhondda , or the Rhondda Valley , is a former coal mining valley in Wales, formerly a local government district, consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda. The valley is made up of two valleys, the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley...
, Ablett found himself in connection with like-minded socialists William Mainwaring
William Mainwaring
William Henry Mainwaring was a British coal miner, lecturer and trade unionist, who became a long-serving Labour Party Member of Parliament. Both as a trade unionist and a politician he struggled, largely successfully to counter Communist influence...
, Noah Rees, Will Hay and A.J. Cook
A. J. Cook (trade unionist)
Arthur James Cook , known as A. J. Cook, was a British coal miner and trade union leader. He is remembered as one of the United Kingdom's best known miners’ leaders and a key component of the National Minority Movement around the General Strike of 1926.-Early years:A.J...
. In 1911 the Cambrian Combine dispute ended with the Tonypandy Riot
Tonypandy Riot
The Tonypandy Riots of 1910 and 1911 was a series of violent confrontations between coal miners and police that took place at various locations in and around the Rhondda mines of the Cambrian Combine, a business network of mining companies formed to regulate prices and wages in south Wales...
which in turn caused ill feeling towards the then Liberal government.
The Miners' Next Step was a sustained critique of the style of union leadership shown by the likes of William Abraham
William Abraham (Welsh politician)
William "Mabon" Abraham was a Welsh trade unionist and Labour politician, and a Member of Parliament from 1885 to 1920. Although an MP for 35 years, it was as a trade unionist that Abraham is most well known...
who had been seen as too liberal in his dealing with the coalowners during such disputes as the Welsh coal strike of 1898
Welsh coal strike of 1898
The Welsh coal strike of 1898 was an industrial dispute involving the colliers of South Wales and Monmouthshire. The strike began as an attempt by the colliers to remove the sliding scale, which determined their wage based on the price of coal...
. The pamphlet called for the centralization of the miners' lodges for combating disputes, the adoption of a unified strike policy, the Nationalization of the mines and the 'elimination' of employers.
External links
- The Miners' Next Step Library of Wales