Agapov V. Miners groups in the crisis of 1976-1991.

The thesis deals with the formation of industrial, economic, social, ethical, psychological and political conditions of miners' strike in Ukraine in July, 1989. Special attention is paid to the miners' working conditions, their payment, safety and occupational injuries conditions. Miners' fight for the democratic transformation in the country and for preserving their status in society during the introduction of market relationships is analyzed. The changing state and industrial policy under the influence of the strike movement is traced, the relationships between the miners and the Party and government bodies and between the miners' and the national and democratic movements are revealed. The development of the political process in the UkrSSR on the eve of the Ukraine' independence proclamation is considered.