International Differences in the Strike Propensity of Coal Miners: Experience in Four Countries

Abstract

In almost every country where coal is mined, labor protest among the workers in this industry has been frequent and intense in comparison with industrial workers generally. Yet, as this article demonstrates, there are significantly wide differences between countries in the strike propensity of coal miners. These differences are set forth here for Germany, France, Great Britain, and the United States. and also the Saar Territory. The author then traces the historical development of the mining work force and labor relations in each of these countries and analyzes their respective strike experiences in the light of the particular sociocultural setting as well as the mining environment. This analysis leads to the conclusion that the strike propensity inherent in the immediate environment of mining may be either activated or dampened, depending on the nature and impact of the larger sociocultural situation. (Author's abstract courtesy EBSCO.)