Fig 1: Nottingham Area NUM rule book. 

Nottingham Area NUM Rule 30 controversy

In December annually, amendments to the Nottingham Area NUM rules were considered by the Area Council meeting. In December 1984, the Nottingham Area deleted Rule 30 which basically said if there was a conflict between Area and National rules, then the National rules apply. This move was deemed by the pro strike National NUM to be a union breakaway, the Nottingham Area deemed it was a protective move against the implimentation of the newly adopted NUM Rule 51 Disciplinary Rule, known as the Star Chamber rule.  

Fig 2: Rule 30 Nottingham Area NUM rule book. 

Fig 3: Proposed rule amendments to the Nottingham Area NUM rule book. These had to go to the December 1984 NUM branches for voting with Area Delegates doing the final voting at the December 1984 Area Council meeting.

Fig 4: Pro strike flyer against the proposed rule changes by the Nottingham Area NUM, December 1984. Source: David Amos collection.

Fig 5: From minutes of Nottingham Area NUM Executive meeting, 6th December 1984, Source: Nottingham Area NUM Minutes 1984, p396. 

Fig 6: Pitmen seek independence, Notts Free Press, 7th December 1984, p.13. 

Fig 7: Flyer urging working Nottinghamshire miners to attend the December 1984 branch meetings. Source – David Amos collection. 

Fig 8: Ashfield’s snub to Scargill – Notts Free Press, 14th December 1984, p.1. 

Fig 9: From the minutes of the Nottingham Area NUM Executive meeting on 19th December 1984 re Alterations to Area Rules submitted by the Area Executive Committee. Source – Nottingham Area NUM 1984 minutes, p.403 – 404.  

Fig 10: From the minutes of the December 1984 meeting of the Nottingham Area NUM Council regarding voting on amendments to the Area rule book, including deletion of Rule 30. Source: Nottingham Area NUM minutes, Area Council meeting, 20th December 1984, p.409 – 412. 

“The aim of the rule changes are not to help us break away from the NUM but to protect our members from the threat of disciplinary action” – Nottingham Area NUM spokesman, quoted in the Notts Free Press, 14th December 1984. 

“By gerrymandering the rule book, these people hope to take the Nottinghamshire Area away from the authority of the National Union and resurrect Spencerism in the Nottinghamshire coalfield”.  Anti rule changes flyer, November 1984.