Word: callaghans
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...years of living with severe pay restraints, British workers are inclined to play follow-the-leader-meaning that the drivers' 21% increase will become the magic figure in future contract negotiations involving other unions. Practically speaking, the drivers' victory was a death blow to Prime Minister James Callaghan's attempt to enforce a 5% ceiling on wage increases this year. Callaghan met with heads of the powerful Trades Union Congress in an effort to patch together a new labor accord, but without any conclusive results. He also summoned leaders of four public service unions to 10 Downing...
...crisis has proved to be something of a political bonus for the Conservative opposition and its shrewd leader, Margaret Thatcher. Because minority parties continue to support Callaghan's government, she has stopped short of calling for a vote of confidence that might topple Callaghan and conceivably lead to a Tory victory in a new election. But Thatcher has taken every opportunity to attack Callaghan for his handling of the unions. Last week, for example, she brandished a challenge: "You no longer have the courage to act. Will you not then at least have the courage to resign?" The Prime...
Unfortunately for Callaghan, Britain's union-oriented labor laws do not empower the Prime Minister to order a cooling-off period when a crippling strike looms. The government also lacks the sophisticated mediation and arbitration machinery that has long been a part of U.S. labor laws. Beyond that, top-ranking union leaders now appear to have relatively little control over an ever more aggressive rank and file. Many public workers declined to return to work even after the official one-day demonstration of strength had ended...
...increased government benefits. Over the past three years, their restraint helped reduce inflation from 24.2% to about 8% last year. But, with Britain's economy bubbling from an infusion of North Sea oil, the unions feel it is time to recoup the sacrifices of the past. They regard Callaghan's effort to impose a 5% ceiling on settlements as a challenge. If they accept the policy, their members' pay hikes would fall, once again, behind the rate of inflation...
...Callaghan will meet this week with leaders of the Trades Union Congress in an effort to arrive at a new social contract between the Labor government and organized labor. The stakes are high. Chancellor of the Exchequer Denis Healey warned last week that if the 15%-and-higher settlements sought by the unions are enacted, inflation will soar to double-digit rates. Moreover, unless taxes were raised to cover the higher wages, 100,000 local government workers, union members all, would have to be laid off. The Prime Minister could provoke a rebellion in his own Cabinet if he tries...