Catalogue description Memoranda. Revision of title and terms of reference of the Conciliation and Arbitration...

Memoranda. Revision of title and terms of reference of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board to allow full recognition of any trade union or association of Government employees as signatories to agreements: representations by the Trade Union Congress.

[At issue was the recognition of trade unionism in disputes between the Government and its employees in general and the representation of civil servants by outside (i.e. non-Civil Service) trade union officials before the Board. The Post Office especially feared a link-up between its staff associations and the Triple Alliance. E.A. Gowers of the Board summarised the problem: 'There is of course much to be said for the policy of not allowing Government employees to join Trades Unions. But there is little to be said for the policy of allowing them to join and then pretending they haven't - or rather asking someone else to pretend they haven't ... Has not the time come when it is best for the Government fully to recognise the fact that the question has got beyond their control, and to face the consequences, rather than to seek any longer to be deceived?'].

Attached file(s): 9526/19