ABSTRACT
It is precisely in relation to ‘economic and social conditions’ that increased power to the tuc is necessary. It is not just a question of making and presenting an analysis of current trends and difficulties, but of recommending policy and being responsible for its operation, once accepted. The author recalls a situation early in 1962 when the miners’ union met the officers of the tuc to consider some action against Government policy which was frustrating a wages settlement in the mining industry and at the same time in a number of other industries. A general offer had been made by the National Coal Board, but the union was pressing for a further 3d a shift on the rates of the lower paid men. The power to suspend a union for ‘conduct detrimental to the interests of the trade union movement’ is written into the Constitution.
