Joe Gormley
(1917-1993), President of the National Union of MineworkersJoseph ('Joe') Gormley, Baron Gormley
Sitter in 8 portraits
A miner from the age of fourteen, Joe Gormley served in many aspects of the coal mining industry. He was an active trade union official and in 1957 became a committee member of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). He was elected Leader of the union in 1971. He led the NUM to success in two national strikes, the second of which precipitated the downfall of Edward Heath's Conservative government. His real political legacy, however, is considered to be a strong, well-organised union for miners.
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