Original: The miners' dispute began on 6 March 1984 when the head of the National Coal Board, Ian McGregor, announced plans to cut production, the equivalent of 20 pits or 20,000 jobs.
Simplified: The miner's protest began on 6 March 1984 when the head of the National Coal Board, Ian McGregor, said he was going to cut coal production. He wanted to close 20 pits and get rid of 20,000 jobs.