1964-70: Industrial relations and the trade unions Flashcards
What was one of the key elements of the post-war consensus?
Maintaining full employment to keep the trade unions happy.
What did Wilson do in 1964?
He made the trade unionist Frank Cousins minister of technology and Wilson was relying on union cooperation with his prices and incomes policies.
However, what happened in 1966-1967?
Industrial relations with the trade unions began to deteriorate. Strikes by the seamen and the dockers caused economic problems for the government.
What had a lot of strikes started with?
‘wildcat’ strikes by local activists who would not take orders from the top.
How did Wilson respond to these unofficial strikes?
Wilson and new employment minister, Barbara Castle, started planning to use the law to limit unofficial strikes.
In place of strife terms: ‘cooling off’ period?
There was to be a 28-day ‘cooling off’ period before a strike went ahead.
In place of strife terms: what could the government impose?
A settlement when unions were in dispute with each other in ‘demarcation disputes’.
In place of strife terms: strike ballots?
Strike ballots could be imposed.
In place of strife terms: industrial relations court?
An industrial relations court would be able to prosecute people who broke the rules.
What were the reactions to In Place of Strife?
- Voters liked Castle’s proposals and many Labour MPs such as Roy Jenkins, the Chancellor, supported it
- But the unions and the Left of the Labour Party hated them.
Describe the protests against In Place of Strife.
Storm of protest from powerful union leaders such as Jack Jones of the Transport and General Workers Union, supported by the Home Secretary, James Callaghan and at least 50 Labour MPs who were ready to rebel.
