Catalogue description Records of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

In September 1974, the Conciliation and Arbitration Service was set up following a recommendation from a meeting of the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress in May 1972, and came into being under the aegis of the Department of Employment.

The Conciliation and Arbitration Service was established to provide independent machinery for guidance and mediation in industrial disputes without government involvement. It brought together a number of industrial relations services previously the responsibilities of other departments. Advice on industrial relations and voluntary negotiations had been offered by the Department of Employment. In addition the Commission on Industrial Relations, the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, had been established in 1969 to undertake long-term investigations, with the aim of improving and extending collective bargaining and the conduct of industrial relations.

In January 1975, the Conciliation and Arbitration Service was re-named the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

Under the Employment Protection Act 1975, ACAS became an independent statutory body with effect from January 1976, although it remained part of Employment Department Group with regard to staffing and funding. Following a cabinet re-shuffle in July 1995, ministerial responsibility for ACAS was transferred to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

ACAS is charged with the general duty of promoting improved industrial relations, and in particular encouraging and extending free collective bargaining. It is run by a council appointed by the Secretary of State for Employment, consisting of a chairman and nine members. Three of these are nominated by the CBI, three by the TUC and three are independent. The day-to-day work of the service in answering enquiries is dealt with in the six regional offices and the offices in Scotland and Wales. The head office organises the service, gives policy guidance, provides conciliation in major industrial disputes, and conducts long term enquiries.

Since its creation ACAS responsibilities have been widened. The functions formerly exercised by the Registrar General of Friendly Societies in relation to trade unions and employers' associations have passed to a certification officer, appointed after consultation with the service. Under the Employment Protection Act 1975 the service is empowered to enquire into and report on wages councils, and to provide conciliation under legislation including the Equal Pay Act 1970 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

ACAS derives its authority to publish general advice on industrial relations and employment policies from section 4(2) of the Employment Protection Act 1975. Advisory booklets are produced and published by ACAS following the approval of its council.

Between 1976 and 1980 trade union recognition issues were referred to ACAS under sections 11-16 of the Employment Protection Act 1975. These sections were repealed by the Employment Protection (Amendment) Act 1980.