ABSTRACT
In the 1930s, Littlewoods and Vernons developed a Fordian-type of relationship, emphasising their social control of their workers. That situation continued after the Second World War and into the early1960s, despite trade union efforts at representation. Littlewoods strongly resisted trade unionism as was evident in closure of its Irlam Road building in 1963. However, by the early 1970s, Littlewoods and Vernons, responsible for 90 per cent of the football pool workforce were, reluctantly, forced to accept trade unions, because of the new industrial relations laws, though they were extremely cautious in making concessions on wages and conditions. An uneasy relationship developed, but the managements of the firms became more sensitive to the need to work with the unions. However, the decline of the pools in the early 1990s, and the introduction of The National Lottery in 1994, led to the sharp decline of the football pools and the collapse of trade union negotiations. In brief, workers' rights were not well represented in the history of the football pools, and the pool promoters were free to create the illusion of being on caring and harmonious terms with their workforces whilst being able to ignore their wants.
