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Changes in Britain's coal industry after 35 years of nationalization have been accompanied by a reorganization of the work and improved working conditions. The National Coal Board (NCB) tends to analyze these changes in the context of supply and demand, but the authors argue that capitalist relations were weakening before nationalism occurred. The industry had been slow to mechanize, suffered from a state-organized cartel during the 1930s, and could not reorganize for profit after World War II. As a result, capitalist relations have improved under nationalism. The role of the labor movement and efforts to improve wages and working conditions have generally been compliant, with notable exceptions during national strikes in 1972 and 1974. The coal industry, unlike other industries, has been unable to generate the investment strength to reorganize. 55 references, 3 tables.