Day 111: Praying for those affected by strike action (1984)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 111 of 150 days of prayer.

• 'If you want to live in a wise way, respect and obey the Lord. Everyone who lives in the way that he teaches will understand what is right. People should praise the Lord for ever!' (Psalm 111:10, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1984

Lieut-Colonel Sandra Moran (R), a former corps officer and divisional leader in South Wales, writes:

‘During the time that Peter and Sandra Moran were the officers at Treharris (1980-1984), the corps was still holding the annual Aberfan Festival. The community had a strong bond with the corps and always supported the festival well.  As well as the senior corps, the young people – band, singing company and timbrels – took part with enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment. This made the festival both a remembrance of those affected by the disaster, but also a celebration of the youngsters of “today”.  Some of them testified about their experience of Jesus, and it was always a poignant experience.’ 

Major Peter Mylechreest (R), a former corps officer in South Wales, writes:

‘Morale was low in many South Wales towns, particularly in the valleys. Unemployment had rocketed. Firms associated with steel production had closed and now many coal mines were under threat of closure.

‘The government of the day had been opposing trades unions. It came to a head with major industrial action in Yorkshire against the proposal of the National Coal Board to close most of the collieries in Britain. The strike spread to all collieries, including those in South Wales. But the strike was ruled illegal in September 1984, as no national ballot of the National Union of Coalminers members had been held.

‘There were violent confrontations between flying pickets and the police, who had been drafted in to protect miners who chose to continue to work. The year-long strike ended in a decisive victory for the government, and even greater poverty for the miners and their families.

‘The Salvation Army found itself in an awkward situation. It has always, in principle, been apolitical. But here were families suffering from reduced incomes because of political action. To ignore these folk was to betray our “heart to God, hand to man” motive. But to be seen supporting illegal riots was breaking the law of the land.

‘Prior to the miners’ strike most corps had offered support for those in need. Now the numbers had greatly increased. A large nationwide store had for some years given surplus perishable goods to The Salvation Army for those in need. Now, believing that feeding the families of miners was only prolonging the unrest, they withdrew their help. There was no official statement published by this firm, but their surplus produce was no longer available for distribution. Corps struggled to help a divided community. In the end came the closure of almost all pits, and yet further unemployment.

Prayer

• We have seen more strike action taken in recent years. Pray for those involved in and those affected by these strikes.
• Pray that there will be resolution for all concerned.