{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02177293934681182, 'fraction_numerical': 0.006220839813374806, 'mean_word_length': 4.801801801801802, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
The Midwife of Mining

The change of the National Coal Board's name to British Coal was meant to symbolise a new era for the coal industry—a rebirth of its fortunes. Since the end of the miners' strike in March 1985, managers have set about dismantling the old working practices and introducing new ‘flexible’ methods of working the coal seams. Dave Feickert surveys these developments, assesses the NCB's strategy for the industry, and concludes by considering the problems facing the mining unions. He argues for an alternative vision for the industry which takes account of long-term energy needs and the welfare of the mining labour force.