Labour Industrial and Union policies

Question 1

Views of government:

Answer 1

• Unofficial strikes were disrupting production, forcing up labour costs and contributing to inflation and Britain’s poor export performance.
• Industrial relations needed stronger regulation to control prices and wages.

Question 2

Trade Unions argued that:

Answer 2

• Country’s lack of competitiveness should be blamed on employers and government’s investment policies.
• Limiting wage increases unfairly penalised low-paid workers.
• Right of unions to bargain freely with employers should not be restricted by laws.

Question 3

Importance of Trade Unions:

Answer 3

• Block votes at conferences determined party policy.
• Closed shop –> belong to agreed trade union enhanced bargaining power.
• Strikes nationalised industry caused national disruption.

Question 4

Ministry of Employment and Productivity

Answer 4

• Created by Wilson in April 1968
• Barbara Castle became head.

Question 5

‘In Place of Strife’ - January 1969

Answer 5

• Employees have legal right to join a trade union.
• Government could order a ballot if a strike was a threat to national interest.
• Unofficial dispute, government could order return to work for 28-day ‘cooling-off’ period.
• Disputes between union referred to an industrial commission whose decision would be legally binding.
• Financial penalties if commission not obeyed.
• Unfairly dismissed workers entitled to compensation / re-instation.

Question 6

Failure of ‘In Place of Strife’:

Answer 6

• Trade union leader –> ‘introduce the taint of criminality into industrial relations’
• more than 50 labour MPs rebelled when ‘In Place of Strife’ was debated in House of Commons.
• TUC, Cabinet and party resistance led by Home Secretary Jim Callaghan caused Wilson to back down.

Question 7

Industrial development:

Answer 7

• Industrial industries declined and white collar employment grew.
• Expanding public sector.
• Private sector –> employers discouraged Union membership.

Question 8

Scientific unions:

Answer 8

• 1961: 2,120,000 –> 1971: 2,901,000
• Science and Finance Union
  1960: 25,000 –> 1970: 221,000

Question 9

Mining and Quarrying

Answer 9

1961: 722,000 –> 1971: 391,000

National Union of Mineworkers
1960: 586,000 –> 1970: 279,000