The negotiator

Image: © Robin Drayton Taken: 2 Aug 2013

Philip Gordon Weekes The inscription reads: Philip Weekes (1920-2003) Born at Nantybwch, Tredegar, Philip Weekes gained a scholarship from Tredegar Iron and Coal Company to study mining engineering. After the war he was appointed manager of Wyllie Colliery and by 1948, became manager of the vast Oakdale Colliery near Blackwood. Philip showed a talent for negotiating and in 1950 the Colonial Office sent him to Nigeria following riots in a mining district in order to restore peaceful relations between management and workers. A later colonial report stated that he had done 'rather well for a grammar school boy'. In 1954, Philip became director of studies at the National Coal Board, and in 1971 he was appointed Director-General of mining. From 1973 to 1985, he served as area director for the south Wales coalfield during periods of strained relations between governments, management and labour unions and the eventual destruction of the deep-mining industry. In contrast with the uncompromising styles of the leaders of both sides in the year-long miners' strike of 1984-85, he worked with police and unions to ensure that violence was minimised and that essential maintenance work continued so that work could re-start quickly once the strike had finished. During retirement, Philip became chairman of Garden Festival Wales and acted as chairman at Tower colliery following the workers' buy-out.

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