Unionists ‘prepared for strike’

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 10

Unionists ‘prepared for strike’

NZPA-AAP London Leaders of Britain’s striking miners were prepared for a long drawn-out battle from the start of their dispute, now 18 weeks old. The “Daily Telegraph” has reported that the National Union of Miners officials in at least one region, South Wales, paid themselves six months in advance and channelled other funds abroad when the strike started. The move was planned to thwart possible court action to seize union funds. The South Wales president of the N.U.M., Mr Emlyn Williams, said no salaried officials or staff were drawing any money during the strike. “The money has not been touched by us — not a penny,” he said. Mr Williams said the decision to pay the salaries and move other funds to accounts in Switzerland and Ireland was approved by the South Wales executive and reported to lodge committees. “It is there for union emergencies,” he said. Although it is not known how much money is involved, the union’s assets in South Wales before ’the strike were estimated at about $B.l million.