Once great union reduced to almost nothing

THE South Wales Area of the National Union of Mineworkers was at one time the bastion of trade unionism in South Wales – at its zenith it had more than 150,000 members.

Its leaders, men like Arthur Horner, Will Paynter, Dai Francis, Emlyn Williams and Mike Griffin, were brilliant men whose only thoughts were for their members’ livelihood and working conditions. They worked long hours for very modest financial reward. They were venerated and idolised by their members. They also played a big part in their communities, getting involved with our hospitals, miners’ institutes and the Tal y garn Hospital for injured miners.

They also got involved in foreign affairs, notably opposing the apartheid system in South Africa and supporting Nelson Mandela. Also when the US Government withheld Paul Robeson’s passport and prevented him from taking part in the miners’ eisteddfod in Porthcawl.

What is the South Wales Area of the NUM like today?

According to the annual returns sent in to the certification officer by the Pontypridd NUM office, the South Wales Area of the NUM now has 25 members and a general secretary receiving an annual salary of more than £70,000 a year.

What would our former leaders made of what is happening today? What do the older miners in South Wales think of what is happening to our once proud union now? I believe that most of the ex-miners are not aware of what is happening. Can we have their opinions?