Dynamics of protest action of miners of Kuzbas in transition to market relations (1992-1999)

Protest movement of miners of Kuzbas during the transition to market relations had its rise (1992-1996), culmination (1997-1998) and decline (1999). This dynamics, in general, coincide with the evolution of the strike movement in Russia in the 1990s. During the rise of the protest movement in the Kuzbas region (1992-1996) the activity of the miners was expressed, first of all, in the increase of the number of strikes, active participation in nationwide strikes. Back in the beginning of 1992 in the mines of the region spontaneous strikes began, which gradually began to acquire an organized system character. In subsequent years, there were new, including radical, forms of protest action of miners - under-the-earth strike, hunger strikes, pickets, demonstrations, threats of mass suicide, ''rail war'', etc. Protest of miners did not only increase quantitatively, but changed qualitatively. So, for example, in the mid-1990s, along with economic demands, began to appear political ones. The climax of the protest movement of miners of Kuzbas during the transition to market relations was the period of 1997-1998. In the spring of 1997 there was a sharp aggravation of social tension in all the coal-mining regions of Russia, especially in Kuzbas. The most important features of the protest action of miners of Kuzbas were radicalism, duration, growth of solidarity, attraction of public attention. Miners began to use radical forms of protest, first of all, the blockade of the railway. ''Rail war'' became the most effective control measure for miners to defend their rights and interests, as it was followed by an immediate reaction from the authorities. The picketers immediately received guarantees of repayment of debts on wages. The example of miners was used not only in Kuzbas, but also in other regions of Russia. Since 1999, the protest movement of miners of Kuzbas has a marked negative dynamics. Of all the forms of struggle they mainly used the strike. In cases when the workers used radical measures (for example, went on hunger strike), the number of participants was small. The miners did not demand only the reduction of wage debt, but also allocation of funds for reconstruction of the enterprises and development of new technologies. In general, the dynamics of protest action of miners of Kuzbas during the transition to market relations corresponded to the dynamics of reforms in the coal industry of Russia. The growth of protest activity caused a new wave of reforms in the key sector of the economy. Meanwhile, the long-drawn struggle had a negative impact on the socio-professional structure of the miners, their leadership in the labour movement, the total solidarity of the workers at the level of the region and the country.

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