Union of Democratic Mineworkers
Encyclopedia
The Union of Democratic Mineworkers is a British trade union
not recognised by the TUC or the Labour party for coal miners, which is based in Nottinghamshire
, England. It was provisionally established on the 6th December 1985 after the UK miners' strike (1984-1985) by miners who wished to defy the strike call without a national ballot of the National Union of Mineworkers, and its leader, Arthur Scargill
. In its defence, the UDM pointed to Scargill's refusal to call a ballot on after the strike ended and to the widespread opposition to the strike which existed in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Even throughout the majority of the strike, the NUM Nottinghamshire complied with the NUM's overtime ban, as this had been constitutionally called,
Initially, the Nottinghamshire area
remained within the NUM. This was possible due to the federal structure of the national union that granted a great deal of autonomy to its regional organisations. NUM elected officers almost exclusively from the "working" miners. These officers included Roy Lynk - later to be rewarded with an OBE - and Neil Greatrex, the current General Secretary of the UDM.
In 1992, The Independent
reported that officials from the UDM had advised ministers on how to cut miners' power - including attempting to weaken the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers
union.
The UDM was widely criticised in March 2004 after it was revealed that its top two officials received pay and benefits of over £150,000 each, despite membership having fallen to 1,431.
Two leaders of the Mansfield-based UDM union appeared in court on Friday 20th May 2011, accused of stealing almost £150,000 which was intended to help sick miners.
Union of Democratic Mineworkers’ former president Neil Greatrex and Mick Stevens, ex-general secretary of the union in Nottinghamshire, denied 14 charges of theft at Nottingham Crown Court.
Both were bailed until 17th June 2011.
See
http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/udm_leaders_neil_greatrex_and_mick_stevens_deny_charity_thefts_1_3402893
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...
not recognised by the TUC or the Labour party for coal miners, which is based in Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, England. It was provisionally established on the 6th December 1985 after the UK miners' strike (1984-1985) by miners who wished to defy the strike call without a national ballot of the National Union of Mineworkers, and its leader, Arthur Scargill
Arthur Scargill
Arthur Scargill is a British politician who was President of the National Union of Mineworkers from 1982 to 2002, leading the union through the 1984–85 miners' strike, a key event in British labour and political history...
. In its defence, the UDM pointed to Scargill's refusal to call a ballot on after the strike ended and to the widespread opposition to the strike which existed in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Even throughout the majority of the strike, the NUM Nottinghamshire complied with the NUM's overtime ban, as this had been constitutionally called,
Initially, the Nottinghamshire area
Nottinghamshire Miners' Association
The Nottinghamshire Miners' Association was a trade union in the United Kingdom.The union was founded in 1881 to represent coal miners in Nottinghamshire....
remained within the NUM. This was possible due to the federal structure of the national union that granted a great deal of autonomy to its regional organisations. NUM elected officers almost exclusively from the "working" miners. These officers included Roy Lynk - later to be rewarded with an OBE - and Neil Greatrex, the current General Secretary of the UDM.
In 1992, The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
reported that officials from the UDM had advised ministers on how to cut miners' power - including attempting to weaken the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers
National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers
The National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers represents colliery deputies and under-officials in the coal industry. NACODS was established as a national organisation in 1910...
union.
The UDM was widely criticised in March 2004 after it was revealed that its top two officials received pay and benefits of over £150,000 each, despite membership having fallen to 1,431.
Two leaders of the Mansfield-based UDM union appeared in court on Friday 20th May 2011, accused of stealing almost £150,000 which was intended to help sick miners.
Union of Democratic Mineworkers’ former president Neil Greatrex and Mick Stevens, ex-general secretary of the union in Nottinghamshire, denied 14 charges of theft at Nottingham Crown Court.
Both were bailed until 17th June 2011.
See
http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/udm_leaders_neil_greatrex_and_mick_stevens_deny_charity_thefts_1_3402893