industrial relations + trade unions Flashcards
who was frank cousins
leader of the TGWU(transport and general workers union) and brought into cabinet as technology minister despite his little interest in it
one of the key elements in the post-war consensus was?
the influence of trade unions
opinion poll early 1960s view on trade unions
60% of people said they had a favorable view of the unions
in 1964 Wilson made Frank cousins
minister of technology
1966-67 industrial relations with trade unions = deteriorate. A lot of strikes started with?
‘wildcat’ strikes by local activists
(sudden, unofficial local disputes without reference to national leadership)
who was Wilson new employment minister?
barbara castle
what did Babara Castle and Wilson plan to use and why?
planned to use the law to limit unofficial strikes
what did Babara castle believe strongly in?
a powerful trade union movement but was also convinced of the need for it to act responsibly
what did Babara Castle produce in January 1969?
-produced her white paper, in place of strife
-knew it would be controversial, suggests could be=’political suicide’
In place of strife,1969
-many ways Castle’s policy proposals would strengthen the unions in dealing with employers
key aspects of in place of strife that were difficult for the unions to accept
-there was to be a 28 day ‘ cooling off’ period before strikes went ahead
-the government could impose a settlement when unions were in dispute with each other in ‘demarcation disputes’
-strike ballots could be imposed
-an industrial relations court would be able to prosecute people who broke the rules
who liked castle’s proposals
voters and proposals supported by many labour mps such as Roy Jenkins, the chancellor
who hated Castle’s proposals ?
the union and the left of the labour party
storms of protest from powerful union leaders such as
Jack Jones of the TGWU supported by the home secretary James Callghanand at least 50 labour mps ready to rebel
the row went on for months until Wilson gave in. This led to what happening in june 1969?
the TUC negotiating a face-saving compromise , but everyone knew it was humiliating climbdown by the government
