| Administrative History | During World War 2, the Government took control on the mines and the owners saw the need to have some national agreements. As the industry moved towards nationalisation, agreement for a National Union was reached in 1944 at the Nottingham Conference, and a ballot amongst the miners supported this. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) came into being on 1st January 1945.
The NUM is an industrial union, representing all mineworkers; craftsmen, underground, surface, clerical workers and many others. Each pit has a lodge or branch which is the basic unit of local organisation. The lodge provides representation of the men to the management, and gives them a single organised economic and bargaining focus at local level. Lodge meetings are used to highlight problems and to discuss matters relating to almost any aspect of the men's life at the pit. The lodge has the authority to undertake any functions delegated to it by the Area Executive Committee and has complete control over its own finances. Each lodge is governed by the rule of its constituent association and is governed by a lodge committee.
The NUM is organised in 20 areas. There are 14 geographical and 6 occupational areas. The Area Council, made up from delegates from the lodges, meets monthly or bimonthly. The Area Executive Committee is made up from permanent officials and 6 to 12 elected members. The Area Council and Area Executive Committee are responsible to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for, amongst other things, the establishment and maintenance of branches in their area and all negations for price lists, wages, compensation and other matters which relate in character to a colliery or district.
[Francis, Hywel. The history and structure of the N.U.M. (1977)]
Swanwick Colliery comprised of 4 pits within the complex: the Old Pit, the Deep Pit, the New Pit and Whites Lane. All were in working order for access until closer, Whites Lane & Old Pit only for inspections and ventilation, the Deep Pit was the man riding shaft.
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| Custodial History | Acquired by Derbyshire Record Office in 2005 |