Miners mark picket deaths with rousing call for action

Young miner Davey Jones died in a confrontation with police in Nottinghamshire during the 1984-5 miners' strike against pit closures. His death has never been satisfactorily explained.

Joe Green died beneath the wheels of a van driven through pickets at Ferrybridge power station in Yorkshire.

The annual commemoration in Barnsley began with the laying of wreaths at the miners' monument outside the headquarters and was followed by a memorial lecture.

Among those laying wreaths was Mr Jones's father Mark.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack spoke at the event. He called on workers to stand up against the government's vicious and severe attacks on people, including the closure of fire stations in the Yorkshire region.

He said: "Once again we face a Tory government hell-bent on attacking our public services, privatising our public services and driving down living standards.

"Our National Health Service, pension rights, public services were fought for by previous generations. Every one of those gains is today under attack by the ruling class.

"There are 25 per cent cuts in local authority services including fire services, with libraries, social services, housing, all under threat."

He said the labour and trade union movement was at a crossroads. The movement could either let the Tories continue to act in the interests of the people they really represent - banks and big business.

"Or we fight back - here and now - challenging every single attack," he said.

He highlighted the massive demonstration in Lewisham, where 25,000 people turned out to defend their local hospital.

But he said more action was needed - including industrial action. Mr Wrack called for every workplace to discuss effective action.