the winter of discontent Flashcards
what did the TUC(trade union congress) do in the autumn of 1978? + what did it encourage them to do
TUC rejected the Labour government’s proposed wage increase limit of 5%
-encouraged trade unions to put in higher demands
ford lory drivers received how much % increase in December after nine-week
achieved 15% increase
wave of industrial action included?
disruption to transport, through strikes by lorry drivers and train drivers’ union ASLEF
shock + outrage in reaction to strikes by public sector workers such as who produced a breach in the 5% limit and damaged labour?
hospital proters clerical staff , local councils and above all = dustmen+ gravediggers
-rotting rubbish piled up in the streets in February
industrial unrest that Britain faced in the winter of 1978-compared to the miners’ strike of 1974
- industrial unrest of winter 1978-79 not on a massive scale and not as serious a challenge to the government compared to the miners’ strike of 1974
disputes only brought to an end in March 1979 when?
when the average pay increase achieved was 10% but the psychological effect of winter of discontent = devastating impact on public mood
what were many to do in the winter of 1978-79
refuse to cooperate
by the late 197s half the workforce was unionised with how many being members?
13 million
the giant TGWU had how many members
2 million members
what was a blow to Callaghan and which leader was his successor ?
-retirement of Jack Jones as TGWU leader and his successor Moss Evans showed no interest in cooperation
prime minister determined to bring down inflation further than?
the 8% of 1978
in order to bring inflation down what did prime minister try do?
sell a 5% pay limit as a means of achieving low inflation
trade unions reaction to 5% limit
refused point blank- 1978-79 became one of the worst period for strikes in the country
trouble began in? with TGWU backing how much pay rise?
(Ford)
car industry at Ford= TGWU backed a pay rise of 20£ a week= totally smashed the 5% guidelines
how much pay rise did the ford workers get
17%
