Industry Flashcards
The positives of industrial change 1918-39
Newer industries in Midlands & SE; motor vehicles using Ford’s mass production techniques. Light engineering factories=consumer goods-home appliances improvng life for women = Factories airier & good wages
Service industries (hotels) inc workforce by 40% during the 30’s as more people took hols-‘39, 11.5m received hol pay for 1st time
Bulding- increase workforce 33%; electrical appliances workforce x2.5
The negatives of industrial change 1918-39
Sankey Commission 1919 - recommended partial nationalisation of the coal mines
20% pay increase- rejected
Dominated by old industries-antiquated, old machinery & methods, underinvestment, lack of competiveness= highest areas of unrest
Cotton, mining, ship building lost 1/3 of workforce
Impact geographically divided= 2 Englands
The positives of changing industrial relations 1918-39
DLG neg with TUs during 1WW to keep strikes to a min as ‘high worker discipline needed’
As factories took large numbers of men/women on, strikes decreased. New jobs with good wages satisfied unioned workers. In 1919, 32 million days lost to strikes but fell to 25 million 1920 at height of boom
The gov was able to contain strikes by offering concessions. Perception of ‘close to rev’ may have been high but not a reality
1929-39
Reduced union activity follwing General Strike. With Great Depression & mass unemployment, union revenues depleted, membership declined from 8 million 1922-1932 4.5 million
Eve of WW2- most of GB in economic recovery
The negatives of changing industrial relations 1918-39
Despite ‘keep to a minimum during war’, 1917 48 strikes included 200,000 workers & by 1918, relationships deteriorating- after armistice huge wave of unrest including soldiers and 7 police over perceived injustices during the war
1921- unemployment soared, wages slump & strikes grew= 84 million days lost
Grievances based on repressed wages, rising prices, food shortages. Min of strikers= ideological & pol (Red Clydeside, 1919- protested against 1WW 1914 & May Day protest 1918. Growing unemp=Glasgow Trades Council saying 54hrs-40hrs to allow surplus hrs to unemp men inc ex-servicemen. 31 Jan 1919, 90,000 dems filled George Sq demanding 40hr week & raised soc red flag-incendary act & battles betw protestors & police, tanks, soldiers to put down any rev violence. Union leaders shocked & told prots to stop- no 40hrs agreed)
Miner’s strike 1921- Mines had been privatised and making heavy losses
Owners wanted to reduce wages
Day of transfer, the miners were locked out
Leaders appealed to railwaymen and transport workers for a sympathy strike but on Black Friday, 15 April 1921, they refused
Destroyed the triple alliance between the miners, transport workers and railwaymen
General strike 1926- A gov branch recommended radical restructuring of the coal industry
Pay cut for miners- Miners rejected proposals
Called for TUC support in a strike
TUC entered talks with the gov- unsuccessful, a state of emergency
3 million workers went on strike
Lasted 9 days
Miners left to strike on their own for further 6 months
Not all workers were ready for a strike
A network of volunteers stepped in to cover essential jobs not being done
Used gov newspapers to turn public opinion against the strike
Expensive and limited violence
Lead to the Trade Dispute Act 1927- sympathetic strikes illegal
TUC abandoned- membership sank, working-class looked at Lab
1929-39
Eve of 2WW, heavy ind heartlands in terminal decline & poverty stricken, deprived parts of GB. Unions not able to alleviate (Liv docks, mines Wales)
The positive impact of WW2 on working opportunities and conditions
1939-79
availability & type of work changed dramatically.
50’s-60’s= almost full emp giving employees more choice re jobs
Unemp rose above 2% in only 8 yrs betw 1948-1970-direct link to ind relations. Emp/ers needed to retain sk wkrs= attractive wages & working conds. Workers were more mobile & left jobs that didn’t suit, esp in textiles Nottingham (sports & soc clubs, subsidised work outings)
Emp opps- inc flexibility & expectations foll imp education. More w/c jobs & service sector- kids had more choice than follow parents
Inc jobs in factories- cars. Negs met with pay; 1951= £8.30-£15.35 10yrs later-doubled by 1971 Retail prices up by 63% ‘55-69, wages 88%. With overtime, 130%. Consumer market buoyed, TV sets reduced in real terms
2WW = war prod, full emp, large numbers of women into facts & ‘men’s’ jobs. Prev idel factories fully operational-munitions. 33% civ pop in warwork-7m women. Led to imp opps- working conditions, wages & benefits
Essential Work Order 1941, Bevin- tied people to jobs-hard to dismiss them
1939- Control of Employment Act; semi-skilled can do skilled, skilled in essential war jobs exempt from mil service
Bevin insisted emp/ers provide med centres, canteens, creaches intro, radio prog ‘Worker’s Playtime’, thanked munition workers, wages inc
The negative impact of WW2 on working opportunities and conditions
1939-79
1941- shortage of skilled workers-engineering, ship builders
Munition workers- long hours
Factories- tedium of repetitive jobs following automation, noise of conveyor belts & production techniques
1970’s downturn in emp & end of gov comm to full emp. 1972, unemp rose to 1m, job security started to fade as an idea. Acute unemp in trad ind areas-no alts. Prob of areas tied to part industry- Mids & mot vehicles & related componenets-if decline could = reduced hours
1976 Lab govt ended full emp-acc market forces
The positive industrial relations 1939-51
Period of transition 1939-79
During war, unions & govt worked closely together. 50-60’s, ‘consensus’ era, policies of corporatism which gave unions a role in ind policy & wage setting alongside businesses
1939-45
Union POV- Bevin most imp member-Minister of Labour & National service. 1939 Emergency Powers Defence Act- almost complete control of GB workforce. Had been Transport & Gen Workers Union (TGWU) leader-‘moderation, cooperation’. Supp joint prod committees in factories, offered piece-rate bonuses for effecient workers, skilled workers/shop stewards= powerful due to labour shortages & need for quality work. Miners opps to figh for imp not available in peacetime
1945-51
Cont appt of union leaders to gov bodies on wages, ind & soc policy- views heard within gov
1949 sat on 60 gov comm vs 12 in 1939
1945, 120 Lab MP’s sponsored directly by U’s= 26 became ministers, 6 in cab, inc Bevin
Sim views between TUC & Lab. Lab repealed 1927 Trade Disputes Act giving unions back power in ind disputes
The negative industrial relations 1939-51
Period of transition 1939-79
During late 60-70’s r/ship betw TU’s & gov less coop, more antagonistic =confrontations. Led to 1974 Heath gov fall and contrib to 1979 defeat of Callaghan’s gov
1939-45
Long anti-soc hrs, lack of recognition for workers, changeable pay= numerous strikes & protests over wages & conditions. Led to 1940 Defence Regulations 58AA banning strikes & lockouts
1942- miners went on illegal strike Betteshanger, Kent. Gov took over running of coal ind & prosecuted 1050 miners fining £1-3. Other pit miners downed tools forcing HS to drop charges & imp wages
Bevin boys-younger miners who were conscripted=strike angry about lower pay they got comp to older workers. 1939-44, 514 strikes in SW
1944- 100,000 Welsh miners went on strike for better wages. £5 comp to £6.10 for manufacturing. Gov gave in-gave miners opps to figh for imp not available in peacetime
The positive industrial relations 1951-64
1950s high unemp, high un m/ship-grew in 60-70s
Prosperous union l/ship-diff to poorer members, eg Vic Feather & Len Murray lived an affluent life but worked long hrs for interests of members
BUT, expectations diff to ‘rank and file’. Their union careers during periods of depression- younger wanted the money to support materialism & consumer goods
The negative industrial relations 1951-64
Young members affiliated with more militant & unpaid shop stewards=power bases in some factories & called strike action even before decisions made by senior management- had no constitutional right to call walkouts. Led to more agg conf unions 60-70’s. Less to do with socialism-more consumerism. Decline in deferential attitudes meant men & women were less content to ask politely.
Walter Monkton, Cons Minister of Labour att a conciliatory app with unions but relations with TUC & Cons dec.
1945-54, 1751 strikes inc to 2521 ‘55-64, inc 1.1m.
Unions blamed m/c observers & media-The Times. Growing perception among GB pub that unionised men- lay, obstructive, too powerful
The positive industrial relations 1964-74
1964-69
Mac’s image (pipe, beer, smoking, mac, hols in Scilly isles) delib des to be pop with u’s.
1970-74
Rise in living standards, home ownership, overseas hols, mass consumerism
The negative industrial relations 1964-74
1964-69
Mac would propose leg that would curtail u power more than any prev Lab PM.
1960’s= wildcat strikes inc. Wilson reluctant to intervene but public saw actions of shop stews as assoc with u’s. Diff for Lab due to close links but voters could backlash. 90% strikes unoff-TUC app unable to control mems. Av of 3m days lost each yr in 60’s, inc to 4.7m 1968 ‘the year of the strike’.
Militancy causes- inflation rises rather than ‘I’m alright Jack’ views. Aff growth ben those profs with above inflation rises- not most unionised jobs. 67-69 wage increases cancelled out by inflation
In place of strife white paper- Wilson taked B Castle to create laws to prevent wildcat strikes & limit u power. Passionate about u reform desp only 0.1% of w/ing days lost to strikes.
1. Gov order strike ballot b4 off srike action- maj pref to stay at work
2. Wokers in mil strikes org by sh/st ordered back
3. U v U=ind board make leg binding verdict
4. Strike breaking these rules=illegal, u fines, poss prison
Pub supp when pub Jan 69, u’s opp, Lab split inc HSec - Call. Scrapped.
1970-74
Heath’s Ind Rel Act 1971 att to imp but TUC refused to coop. Sh stw could face prison but Heath didn’t enforce
Miner’s strike- undervalued, underpaid. 3% less than manu, nationalisation not fulfilled. Miner’s felt excluded from the rising living standards.
60’s coal ind shrunk, 400 pits closed, 420,000 redundant miners. NUM could only avoid closures by supp low wage claims. 1970 voted for 33% wage inc to be more on par. NUM l/ship voted for strike action 2/3 maj needed-got over 50%. Unoff strikes. Heath gov limited pay inc to 8% & 1971 NUM ballot with changed rules only needed 55%-succ Jan 1972 strike
Flying pickets- Arthur Scargill-blockade power stationscoal depots red output to 25%. 40,000 miners, 500 cities-Heath feared violence & loss of life if confronted. Heath had not planned-no resources to beat it. Gov gave in- 27% foll Midlands gas board , Saltey coke depot closed
2nd strike 73-74= NUM called based on oil crisis to get wage increases- led to power cuts & gov dec state of emergency, 3 day working week Jan-March 74
Who governs Britain- poll slogan. Heath lost-Cons unable to deal with u’s
Industrial relations 1974-9-positive
Lab dumped Heath’s Industrial Relations Act & neg policy with u’s, new policy ‘social contract’. Voluntary & relied on members acc wage restraint. U’s becoming less inf- acc 6% vs 27% inf
1975, TUC conf agrred pay inc of £6 a week for those less £8500, ‘76 rejected motion to end soc contract & return to free pay bargaining. Prsospects lloked good for Labour- u’s had gone with wage restraint
Industrial relations 1974-9-negatives
1977, Healy felt inf under control, end soc contract & return to free bargaining. Backtrack ‘76 as inf soared-strict 5% for low-paid. Led to winter of strikes ‘78-79-winter of discontent & goc=v powerless to prevent.
Ford- 22 Sept 15,000 on strike at attempt to pay the 5%. made official with TGWU backing 5 Oct= 57,000 strikers-led to 17% offer inc gov penalties. Showed soc cont not enforceable.
Left labour sabotaged soc contract at party congress- stop intervening in pay negotiations
Haulage strike- Dec ‘78, lorry drivers on overtime ban-40% inc. Didn’t dec soe which could have seen srmy drivers. TGWU picketed oil refineriesetc- no heating for schools-esp cold winter
Public sector strike- 22 Jan 1979, Nat Un of Pub Emp (NUPE)- wanted same incs as private. Take home £40, wanted £60. Nurses wanted 25%, u’s lost control as membs strike, 999, ambs. Grave diggers-80 but media, ‘bury at sea’
Gov off 11%-u’s had lost control so neg directly with groups.
Dramatic shift in pub atts against TU movement. 1969, 60% + views, 1979- 20% + views
Unions unhappy about power within
Thatcher 1979 elected- promise to curtail union power, supp by 1/3 union members
The main reasons for industrial breakdown in the 60s and 70s
Wages - below inflation, demands for higher
Low pay reduced living standards in contrast to those with more dipsoable income
Traditional indsutry were worst off than white collar
Public sector wanted more parity with the private sector
Impact of unoffical strikes
Decline in TU leadership
Conservative failure to have good relations with the TU’s
1979 shift in attitudes towards TUs - more negative
