Lanarkshire Miners' County Union facts for kids
The Lanarkshire Miners' County Union was a group that looked out for coal miners in the Lanarkshire area of Scotland. It was also known as the Lanarkshire Mineworkers' Union later on.
The union began in 1893. It was first called the Lanarkshire Miners' Federation. This federation brought together smaller groups of miners from places like Bellshill, Blantyre, Hamilton, and Larkhall. These smaller groups decided to work together. By 1896, these local groups fully joined to form one big union, which they named the "Lanarkshire Miners' County Union".
How the Union Started
Miners often faced tough and dangerous working conditions. They needed a way to speak up for better pay, safer mines, and fair treatment. This is why they formed trade unions. A trade union is like a team that workers join to have a stronger voice when talking to their employers.
The Lanarkshire Miners' County Union started when several local miners' groups decided to combine their strength. Some of these early groups included the Bellshill Miners' Association and the Blantyre Miners' Association, both formed in 1890. The Hamilton Miners' Association also joined, which had about 1,200 members in 1894. Other groups from areas like Holytown, Motherwell, and Shotts also became part of this new, bigger union.
Important Leaders and Their Aims
The union had strong leaders from the very beginning. Robert Smillie and William Small were key figures when the union was founded in 1893. They were close friends with Keir Hardie, who was a very important person in starting the Independent Labour Party. This party worked to get better rights and conditions for working people. Smillie was the union's first president, and Small was its first secretary.
Later, in the 1920s, Andrew McAnulty became president and William Allan became secretary. These leaders also worked hard for miners' rights. However, they faced challenges and were suspended from their roles in 1928. The next year, they went on to start a different union called the United Mineworkers of Scotland. After them, William B. Small returned as secretary, and Alexander Hunter became president.
Joining Forces with Other Unions
The Lanarkshire Miners' County Union didn't work alone for long. It became part of a larger group called the National Union of Scottish Mineworkers. This was a union for all miners in Scotland.
Then, the Scottish union joined an even bigger group for miners across Great Britain, called the Miners' Federation of Great Britain (MFGB). This meant that the Lanarkshire miners were now part of a huge national movement.
In 1944, the MFGB changed its name to the National Union of Mineworkers. At this point, the Lanarkshire Miners' County Union became known as the "Lanarkshire Area" of this national union. This meant it had less independence than before, as it was now a part of a much larger organization. Around 1962, the Lanarkshire Area was fully combined into the Scottish Area of the National Union of Mineworkers, and the Lanarkshire union as a separate group came to an end.
