Strikes Red Clydeside 1919 – Unemployment and want of reduced working hours. The Communist flag was flown. Lloyd-George threatened to send in aircraft to bomb. Miners Strike 1921 (MFGB) – Caused by privatisation. Emergency Powers Act was used. Black Friday happened when the NUR and NTWF refused to strike in sympathy. The MFGB went on strike again when the government returned to the Gold Standard as pay was cut again. The General Strike 1926 – The Samuel Commission recommended a pay cut. The government recognised a strike was imminent so was prepared. The Conservatives put the Minister for War in charge. They used the army to put it down.

Strikes Bevin Boys – Conscripted to work in the coal mines during WW2. Bevin referred to them as ‘boys’. They were mistaken for being objectors to the war. They were forced to continue working after the war ended. Did bring people together but also created tension Welsh Miners’ Strike, 1944 - 100,000 Welsh miners went on strike over wages. It was a success as they got an improved minimum wage. Some saw them as unpatriotic Ford Strikes 1968 – Women went on strike over unequal pay. Production was stopped due to the strike. They won increased, but not equal, pay. It led to the Equal Pay Act of 1970 Wildcat Strikes – 1960s. Unofficial strikes. 3 million work days lost each year. Damaged Labour due to their history

Strikes Girling Brake Strike, 1968 – Birmingham car workers Miners’ Strikes 1970s – Unofficial and official. Heath had made policy that restricted pay increases to 8%. Arthur Scargill created flying pickets which blockaded power stations. Haulage Strike – 1978. Lorry drivers wanted a 40% pay increase and refused to work overtime. Public Sector Strike – 1979. Got an 11% pay increase. Unions had lost control over their members

1920s Increased union disputes during the boom The slump then led to decreased union membership Red Clydeside, Miners Strike and the General Strike Strikes at the end of the war as people felt they had been let down Decline in industrial industry. This area also so more union unrest Growth of light engineering (attracted women) and vehicle production – ‘Two Englands’ Trades Disputes Act 1927 – banned sympathetic strikes, mass Picketing and union members had to make a decision to pay the Labour Party

1930s Decline in union membership due to the Great Depression Some areas of the UK were hit harder than others. Workers were reluctant to strike in favour of others 1939 Emergency Powers Defence Act – the government could do whatever it needed to keep the country running during a war (Bevin in charge)

1940s WW2 Workers realised their importance Full employment Increased opportunities 1939 Control of Employment Act – skilled work could be done by semi-skilled workers 1941 Essential Works Order Unions and government worked together. Corporatism existed and unions had a say over pay Labour got rid of the Trades Disputes Act which gave unions more power - 1946

1950s Low unemployment Governments committed to full employment Greater opportunities – people could choose jobs Growth of white-collar and technical jobs Growth of car manufacturing Consumerism led to a demand in wage increases

1960s Relationship between government and unions starts to break down Growth of union membership Inflation led to more strikes 1962 – NEDDY and NICKY Wilson had proposed wage increased to match price increases which meant good relationships with the unions Labour start to curb union power - 1969 Barbara Castle published ‘In Place of Strife’. Wilson said no

1970s Growth of unemployment Decline of heavy industry In 1976 Labour abandoned a commitment to full employment Heath fell in 1974 due to disputes between unions and the government Winter of Discontent led to the fall of Callaghan 1971 – Industrial Relations Act to curb union power. Repealed by Wilson Heath and the ‘Who governs Britain’ campaign 1975 pay increases agreed 1979 Thatcher agreed to curb union power