To toil eighteen-hours, hard at the seam

supply coal to the furnace for industrial steam

and for tools and equipment, the bosses you pay

then as spark strikes gas, man and child blown away

To be thrown in into gaol just for airing concern

then ‘tried’ in a courtroom, judge paid by the crown

the outcome of which is already decided

guilty, conspiracy, life sentence, deported

To be chained in iron then stolen away

chattel shipped to Australia, to Botany Bay

to suffer not seeing your beloved one more time

and all that you did was speak up, not a crime

‘In 1832 the Jarrow pitmen members of the Northern Union of Pitmen objected to conditions of working in the Alfred Pit and went on strike to air their grievances.
There was no incitement or violence, but seven of the most intelligent strikers were selected and put in Durham Jail.
They were men of good character but were found guilty of conspiracy by a Durham Judge.
They were sentenced to the penal colonies for life, and transported in irons to Botany Bay, New South Wales, Australia.
Leaving their wives and children in Jarrow to fend for themselves’

Thomas Hepburn who had worked at the Jarrow Alfred Pit and was now working at Hetton Colliery had formed the Northern Union of Pitmen around 1830/31, which was colloquially known as Hepburn’s Union.
(It was said the first Miners Banner ever made was unfurled at Jarrow at this time)
Some of the first industrial action undertaken by this union, under Hepburn’s guidance was to go on strike to seek improved conditions.
In this aim the strike was largely successful, with working hours being reduced from around 18 hours a day to a 12 hour shift, and ensuring that payment for labour was always in money, ending the system of “Tommy Shops” whereby the miners had to purchase provisions from a shop either owned or preferred by the colliery owner, with wages being confiscated to pay off the shop owner before the employee could directly receive them.

Info from http://jarrowlife.co.uk/thread-799.html