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British Industrial Relations Policy Transformed: The Thatcher Legacy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

David Marsh
David Marsh
Affiliation:
Government University of Strathclyde
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Abstract

It is widely believed by political scientists that the Thatcher Governments transformed British industrial relations and ‘curbed union power’. In contrast, most industrial relations scholars have argued that despite the legislative onslaught relatively little has changed on the shopfloor. This paper examines both claims. Much has changed in Britain since 1979. In particular, the political role of unions has altered substantially. Unions in 1991 are infrequently consulted and have very little influence. In addition, the legislative framework within which unions operate is very different; their activities are much more circumscribed by the law than previously. But much less has changed on the shopfloor; for example, there is limited evidence of a major move to derecognise unions or restrict collective bargaining. Governments can only set the legislative framework within which shopfloor industrial relations operate; it cannot determine outcomes.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Public Policy , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , July 1991 , pp. 291 - 313
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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