The Commission on Industrial Relations in Britain 1969‐74: a retrospective and prospective evaluation

Abstract

Examines the history of the Commission on Industrial Relations (CIR) 1969‐74 ‐ its origins, organization and policies ‐ and then evaluates its contribution as an agent of reform in the context of the perceived problems of the 1960s and 1970s. Considers whether there are any lessons to be learnt for the future given the possibility of a Labour Government, developments in Europe and the 1995 TUC policy document Your Voice at Work. Despite the drastic changes in industrial relations and in the economic, political and social environment, the answer is in the affirmative. In particular, the importance of a new third‐party agency having an independent governing body like the CIR and not a representative body like the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS); in its workflow not being controlled by government; and in its decisions on recognition being legally enforceable.

Citation

Kessler, S. and Palmer, G. (1996), "The Commission on Industrial Relations in Britain 1969‐74: a retrospective and prospective evaluation", Employee Relations, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 6-96. https://doi.org/10.1108/01425459610125384