Union of Democratic Mineworkers

UDM
Full name Union of Democratic Mineworkers
Founded 11 December 1984
Members 1,098
Office location Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England
Country United Kingdom

The Union of Democratic Mineworkers is a British trade union based in Nottinghamshire, England, established in December 1984 by miners who continued working during the 1984–85 miners' strike.

The Nottinghamshire Miners' Association initially remained within the National Union of Mineworkers with elected officers including Roy Lynk and Neil Greatrex, the current General Secretary of the UDM.

In 1992, The Independent newspaper reported that officials from the UDM had advised ministers on how to cut miners' power – including attempting to weaken the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers (NACODS).[1]

The UDM was widely criticised in March 2004 after it was revealed that its top two officials received pay and benefits of over £150,000 each, despite membership having fallen to 1,431.[2] On 3 April 2012, former president Neil Greatrex was found guilty of fraud from a miners' welfare fund.[3]

In 2013 the UDM announced plans to sell it's headquarters however the union spokesman 'insisted there was no suggestion of winding the union up'.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Clement, Barrie (14 December 1992). "UDM told ministers how to cut miners' power – UK, News". The Independent (London). Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  2. ↑ Maguire, Kevin (1 March 2004). "Strikebreaking union accused of profiting from sick miners". Guardian Unlimited (London). Retrieved 25 April 2007.
  3. ↑ Sword, Emma (3 April 2012). "Ex-miners' leader Neil Greatrex found guilty of theft". The Independent. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Union of Democratic Mineworkers to sell headquarters". BBC News. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2015.