---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All too often miners, and indeed other…"
description: "\"All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.\" — Arthur Scargill"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91a/arthur-scargill-31848_economic_all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-tr_245257.png"
---

#  All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists…

![“All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.” quote by Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91a/arthur-scargill-31848_economic_all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-tr_245257.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91a/arthur-scargill-31848_economic_all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-tr_245257.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91a/arthur-scargill-31848_economic_all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-tr_245257.png)

> “All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.”

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Workers often undervalue their collective bargaining power, missing opportunities for economic influence.

**In simple terms:** Unions underestimate their power.

Key Takeaway

Organize and leverage collective strength.

Themes

labor economics union collective power

Mood

critical inspirational

Type

analytical activist

When to use this quote

- strike planning
- policy advocacy
- membership drives
- negotiation tactics

Key Concepts

political economy social movements

Questions to Reflect On

- How can unions better assess their economic impact?
- What actions can increase their influence?

A Different Perspective

Power can be limited by external political forces.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Miners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miners/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/) [Trade union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade-union/)

## Related quotes

> [All classes of society are trade unionists at heart, and differ chiefly in the boldness, ability, and secrecy with which they pursue their respective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-stanley-jevons/all-classes-of-society-are-trade-unionists-at-heart-and-differ/)

[William Stanley Jevons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-stanley-jevons/)

> [I sometimes wish the trade unionists who work in the mass media, those who are writers and broadcasters and secretaries and printers and lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/i-sometimes-wish-the-trade-unionists-who-work-in-the-mass-media-those/)

[Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/)

> [New Labour has systematically alienated section after section of our natural supporters - teachers, health workers, students, pensioners, public service workers, trade unionists and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/new-labour-has-systematically-alienated-section-after-section-of-our/)

[John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/)

> [From 1918 on, trade unionists were to express from the platforms of their congresses the workers' desire for peace through a rational organization of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-jouhaux/from-1918-on-trade-unionists-were-to-express-from-the-platforms-of/)

[Leon Jouhaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-jouhaux/)

> [You won't catch Liberal Democrats describing trade unionists as wreckers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kennedy/you-won-t-catch-liberal-democrats-describing-trade-unionists-as/)

[Charles Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kennedy/)

> [I'm thinking about some developments say in the 80s when the anti-apartheid movement began to claim more support and strength within the US. Black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-davis/i-m-thinking-about-some-developments-say-in-the-80s-when-the-anti/)

[Angela Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-davis/)

> [Our people need Labour party members, trade unionists and MPs to unite. As leader it is my continued commitment to dedicate our party's activity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-streeting/our-people-need-labour-party-members-trade-unionists-and-mps-to-unite/)

[Wes Streeting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-streeting/)

> [Managing the other fellow's business is a fascinating game. Trade unionists all over the country have pronounced ideas for the reform of Wall Street…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/managing-the-other-fellow-s-business-is-a-fascinating-game-trade/)

[B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/)

> [First they came for the Communists but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-niemoeller/first-they-came-for-the-communists-but-i-was-not-a-communist-so-i-did/)

Martin Niemoeller

> [The Scottish Labour Party, while I have breath in my body, will listen to the views of trade unionists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-lamont/the-scottish-labour-party-while-i-have-breath-in-my-body-will-listen/)

[Johann Lamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-lamont/)

> [Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-niemoller/then-they-came-for-the-trade-unionists-and-i-did-not-speak-out/)

[Martin Niemoller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-niemoller/)

> [We will stand by our friends and administer a stinging rebuke to men or parties who are either indifferent, negligent, or hostile, and, wherever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-gompers/we-will-stand-by-our-friends-and-administer-a-stinging-rebuke-to-men/)

[Samuel Gompers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-gompers/)

> [Arthur Scargill’s leadership of the miners’ strike has been a disgrace. The price to be paid for his folly will be immense. He will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-reid/arthur-scargill-s-leadership-of-the-miners-strike-has-been-a-disgrace/)

[Jimmy Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-reid/)

> [The trouble with the Labour Party leadership and the trade union leadership, they're quite willing to applaud millions on the streets of the Philippines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/the-trouble-with-the-labour-party-leadership-and-the-trade-union/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [The trade unions and the Labour Party... failed miserably. Instead of giving concrete support, and calling upon workers to take industrial action, they did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/the-trade-unions-and-the-labour-party-failed-miserably-instead-of/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

## More by Arthur Scargill

> [If youve got an industry where youve got massive investment, it doesnt matter whether you bring in alternative supplies. You still lose the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/if-youve-got-an-industry-where-youve-got-massive-investment-it-doesnt/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [There's a feeling that strength is determined by the size of a union. That clearly is nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/there-s-a-feeling-that-strength-is-determined-by-the-size-of-a-union/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [Contrast that with the call of the Liberal Democrats in April, when they were prepared to call upon the British people to participate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/contrast-that-with-the-call-of-the-liberal-democrats-in-april-when/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [I have never been an idealist - that implies you aren't going to achieve something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/i-have-never-been-an-idealist-that-implies-you-aren-t-going-to/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [If you've got an industry where you've got massive investment, it doesn't matter whether you bring in alternative supplies. You still lose the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/if-you-ve-got-an-industry-where-you-ve-got-massive-investment-it/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [We will pave the way for a transformation and roll back the years of Thatcherism...We will turn economic ruin into economic recovery, and above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/we-will-pave-the-way-for-a-transformation-and-roll-back-the-years-of/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [The trouble with the Labour Party leadership and the trade union leadership, they're quite willing to applaud millions on the streets of the Philippines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/the-trouble-with-the-labour-party-leadership-and-the-trade-union/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [The trade unions and the Labour Party... failed miserably. Instead of giving concrete support, and calling upon workers to take industrial action, they did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/the-trade-unions-and-the-labour-party-failed-miserably-instead-of/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [Only a fool wants a confrontation and only a fool wants a strike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/only-a-fool-wants-a-confrontation-and-only-a-fool-wants-a-strike/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [Parliament itself would not exist in its present form had people not defied the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/parliament-itself-would-not-exist-in-its-present-form-had-people-not/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [You may see the emergence of a new political party from the body of the trade union movement which represents a very clear-cut socialist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/you-may-see-the-emergence-of-a-new-political-party-from-the-body-of/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [The labour movement had the best opportunity in 50 years to transform not merely an industrial situation and win an important battle for workers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/the-labour-movement-had-the-best-opportunity-in-50-years-to-transform/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [I wouldn't vote for Ken Livingstone if he were running for mayor of Toytown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/i-wouldn-t-vote-for-ken-livingstone-if-he-were-running-for-mayor-of/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [Yet what you need is not marches, demonstrations, rallies or wide associations, all of them are important. What you need is direct action. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/yet-what-you-need-is-not-marches-demonstrations-rallies-or-wide/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

> [My father still reads the dictionairy every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/my-father-still-reads-the-dictionairy-every-day-he-says-your-life/)

[Arthur Scargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

[Explore all 16 Arthur Scargill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/)

## More Economic quotes

> [It makes no sense to talk of the social obligations of the corporation without reference to its economic obligations. The two are intertwined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-r-raymond/it-makes-no-sense-to-talk-of-the-social-obligations-of-the/)

[Lee R. Raymond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-r-raymond/)

> [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/)

[Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/)

> [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/)

Brian Reade

> [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/)

[Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/)

> [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/)

Sheila Kamerman

> [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/)

[Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/)

> [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/)

[Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/)

> [Right now, for many Americans, class is being foregrounded like never before because of the economic situation. It doesn't mean that race doesn't matter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/right-now-for-many-americans-class-is-being-foregrounded-like-never/)

[Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/)

> [The average well-being of our societies is not dependent any longer on national income and economic growth. ... But the differences between us and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-wilkinson/the-average-well-being-of-our-societies-is-not-dependent-any-longer/)

[Richard G. Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-wilkinson/)

> [Fossil fuels, including oil, are running out and supplies are getting harder to find. If we do nothing, prices will continue to rise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-powell/fossil-fuels-including-oil-are-running-out-and-supplies-are-getting/)

[Lucy Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-powell/)

> [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/)

F. A. Harper

> [Business school graduates from the best schools earn large salaries and frequently rise to positions of great power. It would be nice if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/business-school-graduates-from-the-best-schools-earn-large-salaries/)

[Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/)

> [In short, both experience and economic theory imply that the US could now t to a more competitive dollar without experiencing either increased inflation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/in-short-both-experience-and-economic-theory-imply-that-the-us-could/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [Put plainly, China seems determined to steal its way up the economic ladder, at our expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-a-wray/put-plainly-china-seems-determined-to-steal-its-way-up-the-economic/)

[Christopher A. Wray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-a-wray/)

> [There are no two countries with the same style of economic mechanism, with the same capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-chubais/there-are-no-two-countries-with-the-same-style-of-economic-mechanism/)

[Anatoly Chubais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-chubais/)

Browse all 6,235 Economic quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Arthur Scargill"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-trade-unionists-underestimate/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Economic"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-trade-unionists-underestimate/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91a/arthur-scargill-31848_economic_all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-tr_245257.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91a/arthur-scargill-31848_economic_all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-tr_245257.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91a/arthur-scargill-31848_economic_all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-tr_245257.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.” — Arthur Scargill",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Arthur Scargill",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-scargill/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "All too often miners, and indeed...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-trade-unionists-underestimate/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-scargill/all-too-often-miners-and-indeed-other-trade-unionists-underestimate/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
