THE former Yorkshire area vice president of the National Union of Mineworkers and a man who played a pivotal role during the miners’ strike has died.
Ken Capstick, 84, was vice president of the NUM Yorkshire Area from 1990 to 1994 when the Tory government unleashed a programme of pit closures and destruction of coal-mining communities.
He died in Bulgaria on Saturday while visiting his daughter due to a ruptured gall bladder.
He was cremated on Monday.
His son Graham told the Chronicle: “He arrived in Bulgaria on Saturday.
“Once he got off the plane and went to the hotel he started to feel really poorly.
“He was quite fit and healthy.
“It was just so quick.
“He died on Saturday and was cremated on Monday.
“The care he received was great.
“We’re going to have a memorial for him here.”
He also stood to be an MP for Arthur Scargill’s Socialist Labour Party in the Barnsley East by-election in 1996, which was subsequently won by recently-retired councillor Jeff Ennis.
Arthur has paid tribute to Ken.
He said: “I know there will be many messages and expressions of sorrow and shock at the loss of an outstanding trade unionist and Socialist, who continued to fight to the very end of his life for workers’ rights and Socialism.
“During the railway workers’ strikes of a couple of years ago, Ken and I stood side by side on RMT and ASLEF picket lines.
“To mark the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the Battle of Saltley Gate, 1972 - in which Ken fought on the picket lines - we spoke together.
“Only last year, we shared a platform at the major rallies marking the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike of 1984/1985.
“Ken was a former vice president of the National Union of Mineworkers Yorkshire Area.
“He was a leading member and official in the Socialist Labour Party, and since 2017 a trustee of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.
“To every task or role he took on he brought unswerving commitment together with an extraordinary range of skills.
“Ken and I were comrades and personal friends for over 50 years.
“No words can express the sense of loss I feel.
“However, his death is a massive loss to the Labour and trade union movement of a man who fought from a young age for trade union rights and a Socialist system of society.
“I extend my deepest sympathy to Ken’s much-loved children, David, Julie and Graham and his grandchildren who were his pride and joy.”
Mick Lynch, the RMT general secretary, said Ken was ‘one of the finest trade unionists of his generation’.
He added: “On behalf of all of us in RMT, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ken Capstick.
“Ken was one of the finest trade unionists of his generation, an NUM stalwart who put himself on the frontline during the miners strike and dedicated his life to the fight for workers’ rights.
“His tireless commitment and unwavering resolve are an example to us all.
“Ken stood shoulder to shoulder with us on RMT picket lines during the national rail strike in 2022, showing his steadfast support for our members and their fight for fair pay and decent conditions.
“Ken played a pivotal role in the Battle of Saltley Gate, a defining moment in our movement’s history and one that embodied his lifelong commitment to trade union action.
“Ken’s legacy will inspire trade unionists going forward, to take up the fight for dignity, and justice in the workplace and in our communities.
“His contribution to our movement will never be forgotten.”
