In fact, that was confined to Liverpool, where some poorly paid gravediggers took industrial action, but that was bad enough. Services deemed essential (e.g. The point about the strikes was that they were against what was called “pay policy”. [11] In February 1975, a further increase of 35% was achieved without any industrial action. APEX members did not strike, which led to resentment amongst NUM members. Don’t let Britain have to learn those painful lessons again, the hard way. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Power would be cut off without warning. The Three-Day Week was one of several measures introduced in the United Kingdom by the Conservative government at the time to conserve electricity, the generation of which was severely restricted owing to the effects of the 1973–74 oil crisis on transportation and inflation. In the Britain of the 1970s, power cuts and lengthy blackouts became a fact of life. Prime Minister Edward Heath attempted to impose a prices and incomes policy to cap rampant inflation, but the unions resisted. A few examples will suffice. In the ensuing talks, Heath failed to secure enough parliamentary support from Liberal and Ulster Unionist MPs; and Harold Wilson returned to power in a minority government. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. It was not the only year-long stoppage. Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house. McGahey called in a speech for the army to disobey orders, and either stay in the barracks or join picket lines, if they were asked to break the strike. Strike, not the end of the story. The winter of discontent was in fact simply an unusually virulent outbreak of bad industrial relations: the various disputes, in their length and … The only area that did not was the Colliery Officials and Staff Association (COSA) section. [1] A second general election was held in October 1974 cementing the Labour administration, which gained a majority of three seats. But the oil shock of 1973 caused the situation to become even worse. A closer analogy, though, is what would befall the country under a government led by Jeremy Corbyn. [5] Aware of the damage that could be done to the Labour Party's electoral prospects by media coverage of picket-line violence, the NUM instituted strict controls over pickets. [5], In the aftermath of the vote, there was speculation that the army would be used to transport coal and man the power stations. Just for a change the coalminers stayed at work, but the nation still suffered. Throughout the 1970s the British economy was troubled by high rates of inflation. However, an overtime ban was implemented with the aim of halving production. [8] In contrast to the regional divisions of other strikes, every region of the NUM voted by a majority in favour of strike action. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. For, as the rise of Corbyn demonstrates, you can never inoculate a population against socialism. Yes, for sure. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. By the middle of 1973, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) – drawn from a workforce who almost wholly worked for the National Coal Board – were becoming more militant with the election of Mick McGahey as vice-president. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. In case you’re unfamiliar with those events, they basically ended the last Labour government before Blair’s and acted as a sort of funeral pyre for the old “post-war consensus” that set the preservation of full employment, the welfare state and a mixed (public/private) economy as the prime domestic policy objectives of every government of either party. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts.