Heath's Industrial Disputes (1970-1974)

Question 1

The Industrial Relations Act (1971)

Answer 1

• An extension of ‘In Place of Strife’
• Restricted workers rights to strike, providing for strike ballots and a ‘cooling-off’ period
• National Industrial Relations Court (NIRC) was created, judged legality of strike action
• Trade unions required to put themselves on government register if they wanted to retain their legal rights

Question 2

Heath’s Government & Industrial Relations

Answer 2

• Heath wanted to sit down with trade unions and the Confederation of British Industries to solves issues
• Too late for cooperation, trade unions suspicious and hostile
• Heath talked of wanting a partnership then introduced a ‘union-bashing’ act
• Trade Union Congress (TUC) resisted act by formally voting to not cooperate with gov measures
• None of the trade unions registered with gov
• Blank rejection of the Act made it impossible to enforce it
• Made Heath appear weak and incompetent
• Major strikes in 1972 by miners, civil servants, hospital staff, etc

Question 3

The Battle of Saltley Gate

Answer 3

• February 1972: Arthur Scargil led initial group of 400 miners on a picket at the Saltley Gate coal depot in Birmingham
• Ended in victory over the government afters workers from nearby factories joined the blockade
• Scargil claimed it showed the need for unions to band together
• Considered a turning point in the miners’ strike in 1972

Question 4

The Wilberforce Inquiry

Answer 4

• Gov established an inquiry into miners pay
• Chaired by Lord Wilberforce
• Recommended pay increases
• Represented a 27% pay rise for the miners
• Claimed that the danger, health hazard and discomfort in the working conditions needed recognition

Question 5

The Three Day Week

Answer 5

• OPEC Energy Crisis fuelled further inflation, impacting workers wages
• December 1973, Heath announced limiting use of electricity in industrial and commercial premises to 3 days a week
• Caused electricity blackouts which interfered with industrial production
• Ordinary people without light and heating for long periods, candlelights needed, unable to cook, listen to radio or watch television
• Caused most to turn against the government and miners
• When miners dispute eventually settled, NUM gained a 21% wage increase, nearly 3 times the amount that employers originally offered
• Affair marked a major defeat for Heath

Question 6

‘Who Governs Britain?’

Answer 6

• Due to their success, NUM went on strike again in 1974 to pursue further wage rise demands
• Too much for Heath to handle
• Called an immediate election on the issue of ‘Who Governs Britain?’ - the miners or the government?