ABSTRACT
The 1906 Act provided trade unions with immunities from civil actions – for example, the tort of inducing breach of contract when in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute. For much of its history the trade union movement in Great Britain has struggled to establish a position within the law which would enable it to organise and make use of the power that comes from size. Thus by joining a trade union, the member enters into an agreement and joins with all other members in authorising officers or others to carry out certain functions and duties on their collective behalf. Presidents or general secretaries of large trade unions are likely to play an active part in the political party to which their union is affiliated. The Trade Union and Labour Relations Acts of 1974 and 1976 repealed the Industrial Relations Act 1971 and returned to the system of immunities.
