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Article: British Trade Unions since 1933.(Book Review)
- Article from:
- Canadian Journal of History
- Article date:
- December 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Canadian Journal of History. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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British Trade Unions since 1933, by Chris Wrigley. New Studies in Economic and Social History. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2002. viii, 106 pp. $40.00 US (cloth), $15.00 US (paper).
The British trade union movement had a very good run from 1933 to the election of Margaret Thatcher in 1979. It expanded steadily, peaking at over twelve million members, 54.5 per cent of the work force, in 1980. Through its large membership, (which could be almost 100 per cent in some trades), generally moderate leadership, and direct ties to the Labour Party, it gained recognition and influence in Whitehall. With few legislative restrictions on their actions, trade unions ...