ABSTRACT
The London unions were the spearhead; if they could be kept in with the others, and given less room for manoeuvre, the employers would gain an advantage. Women’s rates, however, had not improved proportionately, because they received a smaller cost-of-living allowance. The employers offered to go before an independent arbitrator, but the unions refused on the grounds that the absence of any offer from the employers meant that there was nothing to arbitrate about. Unions then recommended their members to endorse a policy of a ban on overtime, no extension of shift work, no new apprentices, non-co-operation in the workshop, and withdrawal from participation in incentive schemes. Lord Birkett accepted the invitation to act as Chairman and discussions began on July 14th. The employers quickly came forward with an offer of a forty-two-hour week and a 312 per cent increase in wages, in return for stabilization for three years, and union concessions on ‘productivity’.
