Trade Unions Flashcards
When did unions first begin to break down?
(1966) after strike by National Union of Seamen
–> Frank Cousins resigned over incomes policy
How did Wilson try to make unions happy?
(1964) Frank Cousins = minister of tech
relied on prices and incomes policy
What were wildcat strikes?
Sudden unofficial local disputes without refernce to national leadership
–> union bosses losing control
How did Cons. try to help TU in 1967?
Fair Deal at Work under Edward Heath
What did Lab. implement in 1969 for TU?
Barbara Castle produced ‘white paper’
–> could be contreversial
–> 28 days cooling off period before strike
–> strike ballots could imposed
Those who were for and agaisnt In Place of Strife?
For: Roy Jenkins (Chancellor), Unions, Left of Lab.
Against: union leaders e.g. Jack Jones (TGWU),, James Callaghan and 50 Lab MP’s
How did row over In place of strife end?
(July 1969) Wilson gave in
TUC negotiated a face-saving compromise but it was a humiliating climbdown by gov.
Post war consensus by 1970 for TU?
TU seemed more uncooperative , forcing Lab. to reofrm industrial relations
Issues with TU under Heath?
dockers strike
large pay settlement for dustmen
postal worker strike
How did Heath deal with intial TU problems?
Intro. Industrial Relations Act
Abolished the National Board for Prices and Incomes
What was the Industrial Relations Act?
Set up Industrial Relations Court
provided strike ballots
cooling off period before unoffical strikes begin
Outcome of Industrial Relations Act?
Policy didnt work as expected
TUC and CBI opposed to it
(1972) major strikesaw highest numbers of days lost to strikes
Affect of miners striking in 1972?
coal stopped moving
state of emergency
schools closed
1.2 million workers laid off
3 day week
Wilberforce Commitee negotiate generous wage settlement
As well as wage demands what else did Heath do after 1972 strikes?
Passed Industry act
–> aimed to involve gov., TUC and CBI in agreeing wages, prices and benefits
–> heavily criticsed by right of Cons. (Enoch Powell)
What strike occured in 1973?
industrial disputes with firefighter and power workers
Why did miners demand higher wages?
after 1973 strike and oil crisis in November
–> beyond the limits gov. watned to impose to hold down inflation
–> miners intro. overtime ban to strengthen deamnds
What was intro in 1974?
three-day week after strike
–> conserve electricity
What did Heath do to try solve 1973 miners strike?
Moved Willie Whitelaw from NI Office to be a minister of employment as he was a skilled negotiator
–> failed
–> miners refused pay offer and gov. refused to treat miners as a special case