How well did Thatcher deal with Industrial relations?

Question 1

Thatcher’s beliefs surrounding trade unions:

Answer 1

• Existing law on industrial relations caused –> ‘participating in industrial action against their better judgement’.
• Union power made British firms uncompetitive because higher labour costs and restrictive practices meant that business was lost to more efficient overseas companies.
• Jobs available once British industry adapted to market conditions and unions lost power.

Question 2

Thatcher’s legislation to combat industrial relations?

Answer 2

• The Employment Act 1980
• The 1982 Employment Act
• The Trade Union Act of 1984

Question 3

The Employment Act 1980

Answer 3

• Outlawed secondary action
• Increased rights of employees who refused to join unions.
• Restricted the number of people who could be on a picket line –> broken in the Wapping print workers’ strike in 1985 as a picket line of six individuals was deemed entirely ineffective in such workplaces.

Question 4

The 1982 Employment Act:

Answer 4

• Closed shop only if ballot showed 85% support.
• Anyone sacked for not joining Union entitles to higher rates of compensation.
• Banned ‘political strikes’
• unions liable for damages arising from industrial action, allowing the government to seize funds of up to 250,000 pounds

Question 5

The Trade Union Act 1984:

Answer 5

• Union hold secret ballots of members before launching industrial action.

Question 6

Decrease in no. working days lost in strikes?

Answer 6

1979 - 29,000,000

1990 - 2,000,000

Question 7

Union membership decrease?

Answer 7

1979 - 12,000,000

1990 - 8,000,000

Question 8

Maximum unemployment in year change:

Answer 8

1979 - 1,500,000

1985 - 3,300,000 –> due to miners strikes

1990 - 1,900,000

Question 9

What other factors influenced decrease in union membership, working days lost to strikes:

Answer 9

• High levels of unemployment deterred strike action –> workers less ready to stroke as they could be more easily replaced.

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