Steelworkers in Struggle

This book examines the 1980 national steelworkers strike in Britain, analysing its origins and development. Using oral histories, the book explores the longer-term impacts the strike had on those most actively involved and asserts its significance as a key turning point in the deindustrialisation processes that marked Britain in the 1980s. The 1980 national steelworkers strike was an epic social and political event. It was the first national industrial conflict between trade unions and the new Thatcher government, lasting for three months and involving over 100,000 workers. The strike was also, at that time, the longest national industrial stoppage since 1926. Using oral history testimonies from workers throughout the country, this book explores the strike, its origins, development, outcome, and longer-term impact and consequences. It argues that the strike was a critical turning point in British history and one which would have serious implications for working class organisations and communities in the years that followed.The strike was nominally a response to a 2% pay offer made by British Steel Corporation (BSC), at a time when inflation was 17%, but was generated by the widespread works closures that characterised the British steel industry at this time. The outcome of the strike was a much higher pay increase but no change to the deindustrialisation strategy of BSC and the government. The book explores the strike from the perspective of those who fought it and reveals the short and longer-term consequences it had on the industry, the unions and the workers themselves.Providing insights into the demise of the steel industry in Britain, Steelworkers in struggle deepens understandings of deindustrialisation in Britain and its impacts within working class communities throughout the country. Using oral histories gathered from trade unionists, this book explores the national steelworkers strike of 1980 and asserts its significance as a key turning point in modern British history. The strike was nominally a response to a 2% pay offer made by British Steel Corporation (BSC), at a time when inflation was 17%, but was generated by the widespread works closures that characterised the British steel industry at this time. The outcome of the strike was a much higher pay increase but no change to the deindustrialisation strategy of BSC and the government. The book explores the strike from the perspective of those who fought it and reveals the short and longer-term consequences it had on the industry, the unions and the workers themselves.