6. STRUGGLE AND HOPE OF THE MINERS
Throughout the 20th century, a whole new world would be born around the mining complex, with people coming from many different places around the world, especially from the south-east of Spain. This mixture has forged a unique character and idiosyncrasy.
THE MINERS
Mining is one of the toughest jobs out there, both physically and psychologically. The long working days underground, without seeing natural light and exposed to numerous dangers, exhausted those who work inside the mine. Some of these hazards can be high temperatures, constant humidity inside the mine, emission of toxic gases, rockfalls or collapses of mine structures, and flooding of shafts and galleries.
For all these and other reasons, the miners have always entrusted themselves to a very special saint, who worked miracles and protected them from all evil. Before going down to the mine and going into the interior of the earth, you had to entrust yourself to Santa Bàrbara.
THE LABOR MOVEMENT
Despite the paternalistic control of the working class by the mining company, with the increase in workers in the mines, labour demands also intensified. From the 1920s until the Civil War, the CNT union was very strong in Súria, and strikes in the mine were common in the demand for improvements in working conditions and safety. In January 1932 Súria was one of the main centers of the revolutionary uprising in Alt Llobregat in which libertarian communism was proclaimed. This uprising was strongly repressed by the government of the Republic which sent the army there.
During the Civil War, the company was collectivized by the workers, and the operation became a self-managed mine, but when the War ended, the mine would return to its former owners.
In May 1962, the miners of Súria would go on strike again, demanding improvements in working conditions, together with miners from all over Spain.
SANTA BÀRBARA
Throughout the Christian world, Santa Bàrbara is the patron saint of tunnellers, miners, gunners and other trades that work with explosives. She is also revered and invoked against lightning and sudden and violent death. Beyond every one’s religious beliefs, devotion to Saint Bàrbara among mine workers was a tradition, even among most atheists.
In Súria, as in the rest of the mining towns, every December 4th the festival is celebrated in honour of Santa Bárbara, the patron saint of miners. The entire population participates in the celebration, especially the mine workers and their relatives.