15 - Industrial Relations And The Miners' Strike

Question 1

What was Heath determined to reform while in power? What Labour policy did he want to get one over on?

Answer 1

Industrial relations

White Paper

Question 2

What was the problem with many strikes?

Answer 2

They were unofficial

Question 3

Who did industrial power lie with over union leadership? How was industrial action quickly called?

Answer 3

Local shop stewards

Show of hands

Question 4

What Act was passed to address control issues?

Answer 4

1971 Industrial Relations Act

Question 5

What was the Industrial Relations Act designed to be a strong response to? Who resented the Act?

Answer 5

Growing industrial problems

The union movement

Question 6

What Court was set up to judge the validity of strikes? What could unions face if they didn’t register or went on strike illegally?

Answer 6

National Industrial Relations Court

Face fines

Question 7

What did trade unions refuse to register or co-operate with? What didn’t they acknowledge?

Answer 7

Industrial Relations Act

National Industrial Relations Court

Question 8

Why was the Industrial Relations Act dropped?

Answer 8

It failed

Question 9

What did the dropping of the Industrial Relations Act lead to in terms of competitive industrial relations?

Answer 9

A free-for-all

Question 10

How many strikes took place in 1971? How many in 1973?

Answer 10

228

2,873

Question 11

Why were strikes so severe in the 1970s?

Answer 11

Many working days were lost proportionally

Question 12

What Union led the way in terms of threatening Heath’s government?

Answer 12

National Union of Miners (NUM)

Question 13

What closures did the NUM face? Why?

Answer 13

Pit closures

Unprofitability

Question 14

What did the NUM feel it was fighting for?

Answer 14

Workers’ livelihoods

Question 15

When did the strike against closures of mines take place? What was blocked to prevent movement?

Answer 15

1972

Coal distribution centres

Question 16

What 2 factors made the 1972 strike against closures successful?

Answer 16

Flying pickets and mass rallies

Question 17

What did the miners’ see increase following their 1973 victory? How much did this rise?

Answer 17

Pay increase

21%

Question 18

Why did miners return to strike again in 1973? What event did this coincide with?

Answer 18

Further pay demands

Oil crisis

Question 19

What percentage of pay increase did miners reject in 1973? What ballot was also rejected?

Answer 19

13%

Permission for a national strike

Question 20

What shortages were present in 1973? What did Heath respond with?

Answer 20

Fuel shortages

Three-day working week

Question 21

What hours were shortened under the three-day week? What cuts did workers experience?

Answer 21

TV hours

Power cuts

Question 22

What were people encouraged to share under the three-day week?

Answer 22

Baths/hot water

Question 23

What did the three-day week suggest about Britain? What did some argue about production under these weeks?

Answer 23

They were in dire trouble

Production increased as there was less time

Question 24

What would happen to Britain’s economy if there was no fuel?

Answer 24

It would be seriously weakened

Question 25

When did Heath call for a general election? Under what basis?

Answer 25

February 1974

“Who governs Britain?”

Question 26

What record were the Tories judged on in the 1974 election? What 2 factors were rising?

Answer 26

Economic record

Inflation and unemployment

Question 27

How could the 1974 election be described? What was the only way Labour could rule?

Answer 27

Tight

In coalition with the 14 Liberal MPs

Question 28

What problems did Wilson’s 2nd government inherit from Heath?

Answer 28

Industrial problems