Mid and East Lothian Miners' Association facts for kids
The Mid and East Lothian Miners' Association, often called MELMA, was a special group known as a trade union. Its main job was to help coal miners in the Lothian area of Scotland. Miners are people who work deep underground to dig up coal.
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What Was MELMA?
MELMA was a union for coal miners. Unions are groups that work to make sure workers are treated fairly. They help with things like pay, safety, and working hours. MELMA aimed to improve the lives of miners in Mid and East Lothian.
The Start of the Miners' Union
MELMA first began in 1873. A leader named David Moffat helped to start it. But this first attempt didn't last very long. In 1874, the union closed down after a strike failed. A strike is when workers stop working to ask for better conditions. Because of his part in the strike, David Moffat was treated unfairly and had to move away.
A New Beginning
The union started up again in 1887. This time, George Young and Robert Brown helped to get it going. By 1889, MELMA was officially registered. It had grown quite a bit, with about 2,000 miners joining as members.
In 1894, MELMA became a founding part of the Scottish Miners' Federation. This was a bigger group that brought together many miners' unions in Scotland. MELMA played a big role in a major miners' strike that same year. Other important strikes happened in 1912 and 1921. These strikes were often about getting better pay or safer working conditions for the miners.
Joining a Bigger Union
In 1945, the Mid and East Lothian Miners' Association joined with other unions. They all became part of a much larger group called the Stirling and Lothians Area of the National Union of Mineworkers. This meant that miners from different areas could work together even more closely.
Important Leaders of MELMA
Many people helped lead the Mid and East Lothian Miners' Association over the years. They worked hard to represent the miners and fight for their rights.
General Secretaries
The General Secretary was like the main manager of the union.
- 1890: Robert Brown
- 1917: Joseph Young
- 1919: Andrew Clarke
- 1940: Alexander Cameron
Presidents
The President was usually the head of the union's meetings and a key public figure.
- 1889: William Shaw
- 1900: George Young
- 1912: Andrew Clarke
- 1918: James Ormiston
