Bald Men and Combs
During the week, the newspapers reported that Arthur Scargill was effectively being thrown out of his own trade union - the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers).
According to those now in charge, Arthur Scragill he can no longer be a full financial member - a move which denies him full union benefits - though he remains honorary president for life.
Sounds a bit petty - but the key players do conjure up the image of two bald men fighting over a comb - with the once proud NUM now reduced to a mere 1500 members, i.e. smaller than many local union branches.
But it was always going to end in tears - after the bitter miners' strike of 1984/85 - which split the union from head to toe.
Jimmy Reid once famously said that if Kamikaze pilots set up their own trade union - Arthir Scargill would have been the ideal choice as leader.
The latest spat follows Scargill's recent threaten of legal action over the NUM's refusal to continue subsidising the fuel used at his Barnsley home or to contribute to the cost of a burglar alarm at the property.
Scargill, now 72, has also said he'll go to the courts, if necessary to retain his over his use of a union-subsidised flat in the Barbican Estate in London.
Quite why a firebrand socialist wants to hold onto a swanky flat in London is a good question - no doubt Arthur Scargill retired on a handsome pension - so what's the big deal?
According to those now in charge, Arthur Scragill he can no longer be a full financial member - a move which denies him full union benefits - though he remains honorary president for life.
Sounds a bit petty - but the key players do conjure up the image of two bald men fighting over a comb - with the once proud NUM now reduced to a mere 1500 members, i.e. smaller than many local union branches.
But it was always going to end in tears - after the bitter miners' strike of 1984/85 - which split the union from head to toe.
Jimmy Reid once famously said that if Kamikaze pilots set up their own trade union - Arthir Scargill would have been the ideal choice as leader.
The latest spat follows Scargill's recent threaten of legal action over the NUM's refusal to continue subsidising the fuel used at his Barnsley home or to contribute to the cost of a burglar alarm at the property.
Scargill, now 72, has also said he'll go to the courts, if necessary to retain his over his use of a union-subsidised flat in the Barbican Estate in London.
Quite why a firebrand socialist wants to hold onto a swanky flat in London is a good question - no doubt Arthur Scargill retired on a handsome pension - so what's the big deal?
