... the invention of, "Standard Gauge," created by George Stevenson. This was a gauge set at 4 feet, 8.5 inches, that showed how far apart rails had to be from each other. By 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed in standard ...

... create greater flexibility. The neo-liberalist stance of the Conservative government meant that it was anti-trade union and in subsequent years eroded the power of trade unions. The rigours of world competition placed further pressures on firms to improve the quality ...

... causing civil distress and has become quite a point of contention for countless Americans. For, on the one hand, many argue that allowing such marriages would corrupt the morals and society of the United States, yet others respond that Americans ...

... welfare acts including the Children's Act and the Education Act. These acts were designed to keep the nation healthy and educated, as it was seen by both the Liberals and the Labour party that these were two major elements the ...

... Union of Miners (N.U.M), covering workers at all levels in the hierarchy). 3. Craft Unions. These are fairly small unions for skilled workers, performing the same or similar work in different industries (e.g. musicians). 4. White-collar Unions. These are for 'white-collar' (or ...

... traditional stereotype of the factory worker The National Union of Teachers (NUT); Banking Insurance and Finance Union (BIFU) Types of industrial action by trade unions: * GO SLOW The workforce keeps on working but at the absolute minimum pace to avoid bing subject to ...

... had to fight to obtain a higher standard of living. The new unions provided an outlet for this class feeling which was waiting to be tapped. The opportunity for improvement came with an improvement in overseas trade which meant there ...

... 1979 the number had fallen to 2080. But both the other two measures of strike activity - the number of workers involved and working days lost - were historically high in the 1970s. In the 1980s the decline in the ...

... by the large machinery. No laws prevented the factories from using these children, so they continued to do so. Technology improvements continued to reduce the demand for skilled labor. With an abundance of new immigrants willing to work, and no ...

... police and the pickets happened at the Orgreave coking plant in May 1984. Arthur Scargill employed his tactic to prevent the coke produced to reach the Scunthorpe steel works. On May 5th 1984, Arthur Scargill amassed the largest picket of the strike ...

... to try and make the mine owners change their minds. Then the miners formed a TRIPLE ALLIANCE with the railway workers and transport workers (the National Union or Railwaymen and General Workers Union). The agreement said that under the triple ...

... than others. With profits and shareholders in mind, they can be tempted to look for ways to cut earnings; lengthen working hours, shed jobs; abandon pension and sickness benefits; lower safety standards to the legal minimum etc. Trade unions encourage ...

... all share common goals, aims and objectives for the company to be successful. Positions are organised into a hierarchy of authority resulting in a chain of command. The management, who are the authority, should win the respect and loyalty of ...

... through with the strike, and they arrived at their pay rise unscathed by the drawbacks of the proposed industrial action. In the same month as the London Underground tube drivers industrial dispute, David Blunkett, the Home Secretary retaliated after the majority ...

... Margaret Thatcher took over from James Callaghan as Prime Minister. This is seen by many as being the major key development in industrial relations. Throughout the 1970s Britain had been subjected to a series of damaging strikes and terrific inflation. ...

... since the start of the 1980's. This will position us well to discuss the value of industrial relations in the 21st century, and decide whether it does or does not represent a redundant and anachronistic view of management and regulation. Britain ...

... serious cases involving termination goes to the arbitration. In my time as a manager, I had only two grievances go to arbitration. The majority of our cases have been handled at the second or third level. One grievance that stands ...

... is no longer the ultimate demonstration of individual discontent. The association of a union decline with fewer strike occurrences is possibly not indicative of more peaceful attitudes at work. In fact, a strike might be seen as a less conventional ...

... disciplinary or grievance procedures and aim to protect and improve pay and conditions of employment. They approach the government about introducing laws, which will benefit employees. Staff associations do not automatically have the same legal rights as independent trade ...

... on the verge of facing its first firemen's strike in 25 years, Tony Blair was repeatedly saying that the 40% wage increase was an unrealistic offer. However, Andy Gilcherist the leader of the firemen's union was refusing to consider lowering ...

... and in the future. This report has been completed after I have research and read copious papers on the subject. Terms and Conditions There are many reasons why the terms and conditions remain so poor within the catering and hotel industry. The ...

... and leaflets in pay packets, posters and booklets. The employee's handbook is a particular important mean, as it contains useful information about conditions of employment, rules and procedures. Oral methods are best for communicating about views and exchanges, which may arouse ...

... unfair dismissals. So as you can see the basic purpose of the trade union is the welfare of their union. As we know the number of trade unions have fallen dramatically since 1979. This has be caused by various factors ...

... a number of perspectives. Industrial relations draws on a number of established academic disciplines such as economics, sociology, psychology, law, political science and history. ( Plowman, D. pg 8) The origins and development of Trade unions tends to rest on the ...

... risk. Negotiations make the workforce happy which means they will do a better job and become more efficient. The government want this because the economy will improve, as companies will have high production levels. It is important for government to negotiate ...