The Miner's Unions of Northumberland and Durham

Author: E Welbourne, originally published 1923

Editors Review

The book illustrates the problems that faced your mining ancestors, socially, economically, and politically

in previous centuries  and illustrates how Coal Miners may have had very limited freedom due to the Combination Acts, vague interpretations of Common Law, and the Law of Master and Servant.

The author notes that it was Primitive Methodism that was at the forefront of strikes and agitation for better working conditions.  The book describes how Lord Londerry use of the Combination Acts stopped negotiation by unions and pay bargaining at a regional level and negotiation was carried out pit by pit and perceived troublemakers lost their employment and were evicted from their tied cottages.

For those interested in Coal Mining and Social History, this book looks at the social and economic struggle the miners unions faced in getting recognition and employment security for their members.