Solidarity with women against pit closures

This morning conference heard emotional tributes to the Women Against Pit Closures movement. While miners were striking, women around the country gave vital support to the struggle through soup kitchens, welfare advice, food parcels, creches, helping people deal with utility companies and local authorities, fundraising, attending picket lines and organising rallies.

Charlotte from HMRC Wales branch proposed that conference send a motion of solidarity and support to the WAPC and all events commemorating their tremendous struggle.

She said: “As a woman, it is an honour to be speaking about women shaping history. These women became community leaders in a male-dominated area. This conference pays tribute to the wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, and daughters who joined the fight in struggle against the Thatcher government and recognises Women Against Pit Closures as exemplars of working-class feminism in action and what practical solidarity truly means.”

Jim from DWP Tees Valley branch spoke of how organiser Heather Wood put on an inspiring event in Durham this year.

Saorsa from DWP Bradford said: “I was 18 during the Miners’ strike. I spent as much time as I could on picket lines, saw women and mothers being battered by police, their houses being raided, people in towns being arrested in curfews. When they want to destroy the trade union movement they will do it. We must make sure we fight tooth and nail for trade unionism in this country.”

The motion was unanimously carried.

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