Heath And Industrial Relarions Flashcards
(12 cards)
What were the aims of Heaths government ?
- Strengthen the economy and curb inflation
- Legislate to transform industrial relations
- Create ‘one nation’ promising regional development, faster economic growth, better social services and the maintenance of full employment
- Apply to join the EEC (common market) believing that membership would facilitate these objectives
What were Heaths policies and aims like in practice ?
Unmistakably similar to Wilson’s
- Conservative inherited a 5% inflation rate per annum which reached 10% four years later
- level of unemployment not higher in 1974 than in 1970 but number of working days lost was double that of Labours
What are the problems that Heath faced ?
- inflation proved difficult to control and was exacerbated by the 1973 Middle East
- 1971 change in American policy
- government felt obliged to subsidise some failing industry to protect jobs
- entering EEC was successful but it was on unfavourable terms
- number of WDLTS increased from 10.9 million in 1970 to 23 million in 1972
What was the industry relations Act ?
August 1971
Aimed: to balance the rights of the worker with the trade unions to reduce change of strike
- workers legal right to join or not join a trade union
- National industrial Relation’s Court (NIRC) and the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) established
- trade unions register with both to have improved rights of recognition by employers and enjoy better protection from unfair dismissal
- unions not registered liable for damage claims
- gave government power to order a pre strike ballot and a cooling period of up to 60 days
What was the impact of the industrial relations act ?
- many of the regulations were similar to in place of strife so obviously unpopular
- TUC set about to make the act unworkable telling members to deregister and defy the NIRC
- increased bitterness of confrontations between unions and employees
- many union leaders now set out to destroy the act and Heaths government
When was the industrial relations act undermined ?
1972 legal judgement ordered the release of dockworkers who had failed to register before the NIRC which damaged the credibility of the act
How many working days lost where there in 1972?
23,909,000 days lost in 1972
- partially a result of industrial relations act but mainly a response to inflation as prices rose so workers wanted an increase of wage to match the increased cost of living
When and what was the 1972 miners strike ? ( miners now MILITANT)
January to February
- public sympathised with miners who faced harsh conditions
- 280k miners went on strike demanding a 47% pay increase far above government policy of 8%
- caused power cuts across the country and the government anxiously caved in giving the miners a pay increase
Why was the 1972 miners strike so effective/brutal?
- miners organised under Yorkshire miners leader Arthur scargill who coordinated flying pockets who distrusted the movement of coal and fuel
- violent incidents Satley depot in Birmingham 15k miners confronted with police
- government poorly organised to cope with strike severe winter weather meant impacts were felt immediately and the conservative rule was challenged
- led to other striking for pay, adding to inflationary pressures and government looked weak
What was the crisis in 1973?
- the October 1973 OPEC oil crisis led to a rise in oil price which Britain depended on for 50% on its energy meant miners had increased leverage and power
- November 1973 miners went on strike
What options did Heath have to react to the 1973 Miners strike ?
- Accept wage rises and risk making inflation worse
- Negotiate
- To introduce emergency power
- Heath chose the latter
- industry and business had access to electricity for only three days a week, 50MPH speed limit for all cars and TV cease broadcasts after 10:30
What happens in the February 1974 election ?
Heath hoped to gain support for his policies but on the 4th March Wilson came back into office
