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Hatfield Miners March For Jobs
(Monday 13th August 2001) As Part of the Campaign By The Hatfield Miners To Save Their Pit the men marched in defiant procession, with the lodge banner flying, down the pit lane to the colliery office.

A deputation including a number of female local DMBC Councillors went inside to discuss the situation and prospects for survival with colliery management. Meantime the men outside heard speeches from the Branch Secretary David Douglass and Yorkshire Area NUM Vice president Nigel Pearse. The deputation meantime were surprised to find the Local MP Kevin Hughes already in discussion with the management about the situation.

It appears he had been unable to contact the Branch prior to his arranged meeting so just went ahead. The deputation returned and reported back to the crowd who resolved to continue the struggle to find some means of saving the pit.
Dave Douglass called upon Tony Blair to take this pit back under direct control as privatisation had clearly failed and workers jobs and the peoples energy sources were being squandered.
Kevin Hughes later reported to officials about his efforts to involve Government ministers and Dept’s in a rescue bid, but time is not on our side now that the receivers have moved in. Kevin is attempting to buy what time we can.

 

Meantime Dave Douglass is to meet leaders of Doncaster DMBC (Tuesday 14th Aug).

The Lodge President Rob Nixon has been in Barnsley today holding talks with NUM Solicitors about taking out injunctions to stop the pit being prematurely closed prior to the 90 day legal consultation period.

 
The Branch is due to meet again next Saturday (18th Aug) at the Fox 12 noon, where it is hoped all concerned parties will be able to report back. Meantime the fight continues.

 

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