trade union reform

Cards (11)

  • Trade union growth from 1900 to 1984
    From 12% of labour force to 50%
  • Changes to British society post ww2
    - creation of welfare state (nhs)
    - nationalisation - Bank of England, civil aviation, coal
    - played a key role in creating a good relationship between the government, employers and union member
  • What act was passes in 1946
    Trade disputes and trade unions act (amendment of 1927)
  • How did the power of industrial disputes develop
    - when Margaret thatcher was elected Tory pm in 1979 she vowed to tackle the power of unions
  • What happened in 1974
    PM ted heath introduces 3 day working week in attempt to limit electricity usage due to coal and railway strikes
  • What was the Winter of Discontent?
    There were strikes in the winter 1978-79 this was in the public services such as rubbish men as they demanded a 30% increase - rubbish began to pile up in the streets
  • Causes of the 1984 Miner's Strike
    Thatcher announces closure of unproductive "pits"
  • Arthur Scargill
    Leader of the NUM in the 1980s, demanded pits should close, critics argue he gave the government the fight they wanted, viewed thatcher as the enemy of the workers, refused to negotiate and demanded no mines to shut
  • What act was introduced in 1984
    - trade union act
    - 80% agreement for strike
    - closed shops were illegal unless 85% of workers agreed with strike
  • What was the impact of the miners strike
    - closure of most coal mines (cheaper to import)
    - general deindustrialisation of economy
    - rapid privatisation of nationalised industry
    - marked the end of the twentieth century Britain and the ushering in of twenty-first century Britain characterised by capitalism
  • Long term significance of trade unions
    - politicised mining families and encourages them to be involved in local councils
    - Labour Party is still involved in unionism
    - trade union membership was at its lowest since 1940s in 2012
    - by 2019 - 6.44 million union members
    - 50% of public sector workers in 2021