video record
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Description
This is the last of the four television programmes about the relationship of Government and Industry from 1970-72 and deals with industrial relations. In 1972 the notorious Industrial Relations Act... was passed and this programme is about how the bill came to be part of Conservative Policy and what happened when the trades unions and in particular the dockers refused to cooperate. Taking part in the programme are Lord Carr, Sir Denis Barnes and Hugh Scanlon and the news extracts include contributions from Lord Feather, Jack Jones and shop stewards active in the docks dispute of 1972.
Metadata describing this Open University video programme
Module code and title: D203, Decision making in Britain
Item code: D203; 13; 1976
First transmission date: 15-08-1976
Published: 1976
Rights Statement:
Restrictions on use:
Duration: 00:24:00
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Producer: Nell Smith
Contributors: Robert Carr; Vic Feather; Jack Jones; Hugh Scanlon
Publisher: BBC Open University
Keyword(s): Docks strike '72; Industrial relations act 1972
Footage description: Carr and Feather briefly give their opinion on industrial relations reform. Widlake briefly outlines the effects of the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) and the role it gave to the courts. Barnes on the legal compiling of the Bill. Carr on the IRA and government intervention. Scanlon on general union opposition to reform by either party. Clips from interview with Feather on his initial reaction to the IRA. Carr explains why he thinks the Bill was pro-trade union. Feather outlines how the unions will try to defeat it. Shots of 'Kill the Bill' demonstration. Barnes looks at the non-registration ploy adopted by the TUC. Carr expresses his surprise at the TUC's total refusal to negotiate. Scanlon on registration and compulsion. Carr outlines the legal position on registration and how this affected the dock dispute. Shots of docks as Widlake examines the reasons behind the 1972 docks dispute. Barnes on the fine from the NIRC, on the TGWU. Jones explains the TGWU's attitude. Widlake mentions the Contempt of Court fine. Jones looks at how this may affect the TUC. Carr explains how the Act saw responsibility in disputes. Barnes outlines the whole legal machinery. The Court of Appeal decision for the TGWU is given, which Jones comments on. Clips of picketing by dockers. Steer talking to mass meeting and reacting to action of the official solicitor. Widlake describes the chain of events through to the jailing and freeing of five dockers. The official dock strike is further commented on by Jones. Barnes outlines the TUC's attitude to further use of the IRA. Scanlon mentions how expensive the IRA. was for his union. Carr looks at why the Act was used only sparingly. Credits.
Master spool number: 6HT/72215
Production number: 00525_2271
Videofinder number: 3414
Available to public: no