SUBJECT: MINERS STRIKE 1984-85

My name is Ben Niemer and I am a 6th grader in School in Portland, Oregon, USA.
.....I have been selected, in a statewide competition involving more than 2000 students at regional and state levels, to represent Oregon at the National History Day (NHD) competition in Washington D.C., June 14th -19th 2003.
.....National History Day is a nationally acclaimed, academic enrichment program that promotes the study of history in our schools. This year's theme is "Rights and Responsibilities in History." I am contacting you as I did my paper and exhibit on the Coal Miner's Strike in Britain 1984-1985. My thesis statement reads, "Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher prepared for and provoked the 1984 miners strike". My paper and exhibition shows why then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wished to break the trade unions, how she prepared for and provoked the strike, how the miners unknowingly entered into a strike they had no chance of winning, and the devastating results to the miners, their families, and whole mining communities.
.....My exhibition took 1st place in the Junior Division on the state level, and now I am in need of your help to go on to the national contest. My attendance of the national contest depends on whether I can raise $700 in sponsorship. The contest housing is $250 and my travel is $450. Through my parents, school and savings I have raised $200.
.....My mother is American and my dad is English. In America the stand I have taken is very different than what you read in the papers and magazines of the time. My mother explained to me that most of America loved Margaret Thatcher, and that is why the media took her side and showed the miners in such an unfavorable light. I would love to be able to tell your story in Washington DC. Thank you, Ben Niemer.

The display section of Ben Niemer's history project

The Justice Campaign was pleased to be able to help in providing photographs and information as well as putting Ben in touch with journalists who gave permission to use their photographs from the strike, many of which became defining images, home and abroad, of that momentous year.

Ben also received support from US trade unions, as this article from the American trade union newspaper 'North West Labor Press' reports::

"Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative government wanted to limit the power of the unions and privatize the coal industry. Prime Minister Thatcher prepared for and provoked the miners¹ strike knowing that if the miners went on strike the government would get what they wanted, less coal and a broken union."

Guess again if you thought the aforementioned thesis outline came from a labor studies student at George Meany College in Maryland or was written by someone from the Labor Education and Research Center of the University of Oregon. Try an 11-year-old sixth-grader..... Ben Niemer is the student and his thesis and exhibition of the 1984 coal miner¹s strike in Great Britain captured first place in the Junior Division of a statewide History Day competition in Oregon. He now will represent the state at a National History Day competition in Washington, DC, June 14-19.
..... This year¹s theme was 'Rights and Responsibilities in History.' Niemer wrote in his essay:

"Democratic governments are elected to represent and serve all the people. Margaret Thatcher misled the nation when she told them she wanted a profitable coal industry and that she was only closing three unprofitable pits. You can debate whether coal mining is the most efficient way to generate power, but you can¹t debate the mistreatment of a group of people and the devastating effect this had on the miners, their families and whole communities."

"I think it was a great lesson to learn, at this early age, that sometimes the government does not act in the best interest of all the people,"said Ben¹s mother, Lauren Harkins Niemer. "He kept saying to me, 'she was so devious, mom'. I really don¹t wish to raise a cynic but I do want Ben to search beyond the headlines for the truth. I believe he achieved this in his research and proves how the miners were wronged."

While the Niemer family doesn¹t have a history of union activity, Ben¹s grandfather was a member of the Masters, Mates and Pilots, and Lauren and her ex-husband lived in England during the strike and both were strong supporters of the union cause. In his research, Ben pored through press accounts of the strike on microfiche at the library and search engines on the Internet, including an on-line e-mail from a striking miner still in Great Britain.
..... "It was amazing the response he received", Lauren Niemer said.
..... Ben¹s next big hurdle was getting to the national competition in Washington, DC He needed to raise $700 to offset the expenses of the travel and housing, not including his parents. He sent a letter to the Northwest Oregon Labor Council (NOLC) seeking a donation. The letter read, in part:

"My mom told me that my thesis presents a different way for most people to think about the strike and that limits whom I can go to for donations. I would appreciate any help you could offer."

The letter struck a chord with NOLC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Judy O¹Connor, who contacted Jim Cook, chair of the council¹s Labor History Committee. The committee has funds from sales of labor history calendars, and the committee recommended to the Executive Board a donation of $300. That night at the regular meeting of the labor council, delegates passed the hat, and Bill Turpin of Machinists District Lodge 24 donated his raffle cash winnings to bring the total donation to $500. Communications Workers of America Local 7901 donated $200." (Northwest Labor Press, June 2003)

"We had a fantastic time in Washington DC and appreciate all the support we got from all of you.
.....Ultimately we found out over one million American children participated in the National History Day Project. Out of a million, only 2000 qualified to compete in the Nationals. Thus said, although Ben received all excellent on his reviews only 3 awards were given in his category and he didn't win. Of course this wasn't what it was all about (not that it wouldn't have been nice) but the experience for a 12 year old was amazing. Pretty amazing for those of us past twelve as well!!
.....All of you showed so much generosity with your time, memories, and special talents ..... I wish we could thank each of you personally."