ABSTRACT
Trade Union leaders not only took part in the Government under the successive Coalitions responsible for the conduct of the war: they were also admitted to a share in many of the control schemes which were set up for one industry after another under pressure of war needs. Most Trade Union leaders meant no more than a right for the Unions to share in the formulation of industrial policy, and to sit on the controlling boards of the various industries as they were brought under public ownership or regulation. Naturally, every Trade Union was ready with a big programme of demands, partly for the consolidation of war-time bonuses and other concessions, and partly for new reforms, such as the eight-hour day in industry generally. The Government’s strategy in this situation was to play for time, and to tackle each section as it came forward and compromise with it temporarily until the danger of general revolutionary action was over.
