The New Rulers RISING POWER OF THE BRITISH T.U.C.

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28371, 2 September 1957, Page 10

The New Rulers RISING POWER OF THE BRITISH T.U.C.

IBv

GEORGE SCHWARTZ

in the -Sunday Times-)

(Reprinted by ' Arrangement)

When in 1945 a Socialist Minister somewhat arrogantly proclaimed, “We are the masters now,” a sort of growl went up from a large part of the nation. “Cut out that line of talk. This is the wrong climate for it.” 1 Today a large section of supposedly informed opinion,. including many. of the former growlers, is gratuitously conceding, "You are the? masters now,” and is prepared to come to terms •with ?nd even knuckle under to the new bosses. It is becoming a commonplace now that organised labour-has the whip hand of the economic system< and ipso facto of the political order. Government.- is allegedly powerfess in face of union opposition, and economic policy is the prerogative not oi Whitehall but of Transport House. Thus wage inflation is no longer a mere academic concept; it has become a reality. It is not even a phenomenon of full employment. It is an autonomous force on its own. . “It is now apparent that trade unions can obtain wage increases whether Or not there is a surplus demand for labour.” (“Financial Times.”) Absolute Rule We can therefore stop arguing about monetary- policy, fiscal policy, or any other device for regulating the system. There is only one policy, that of appeasement, which is virtual surrender. This is as true of the United States as of this country and wiil obtain in any country which is not totalitarian. Mr Khrushchev can deal with this problem. Mr , Nehru can prohibit strikes under pain of fine or imprisonment, but a

- Western democratic - can only try exhortation, sou s without fury, signifying nothi It is to the credit of our uni< • leaders—Mr Crossman wot • probably say to their discrj r —that they have been slow « circumspect in asserting th - supreme powers. But the no ■ of authority is swelling and r are the signs of truculence. T ; T.U.C. can now claim to be estate of the realm, and the ct s gress is on the way to becom 3 a legislative assembly. The < ployers’ federations will not ; 5 part of the constitution. Th ; will be subject to the legislate ; As for Parliament, it can c ; tinue as an * effete Upper Cham ’ with nominal powers of revis J and amendment. 2 The assignment of Mr Maudlin j the Paymaster-General, to j 1 task of supervising and ordinating , negotiations , Britain’s participation in I ’ European Free Trade area su 1 gests that the Government 1 ; under the impression that it h ’ full authority to proceed in t “ matter. Mr L. Murray, the hea ’ of the T.U.C. research and } nomics department, has alrei made it clear that the trade-urt movement here has the pow of veto and will exercise it if , thinks fit. The T.U.C. is not buying a p . in a poke- It wanted to see tl . treaty and study the possible co . sequences in the light of furtt information. “If the bill is rij i we will pay it. We may pay’ [ grudgingly, we may still wish ; body had thought of this ids . but if the treaty is right tt , trade-union movement will acce , it. If the treaty is wrong, there t vzill be an absolutely solid tnaM L against it.” What strikes me about this U not so much the challenge ai the wistful feeling that it ig > pity anyone thought of the idea. The British trade-union movement is not fond of ideas. It just wants to dig its toes in on its wan claims and require the universe to revolve around thafi| Into Battle * The old-time, even-tempered, union leader will find some difficulty in adapting himself to the new order of militant ' power, “Just a tick afore you clear up, Emmy,” one of them will say after breakfast, “how does this sound??He will then rehearse a speech giving the Government and every* one else to understand that; ffia movement is prepared to takeup any challenge, tfrat it has struck its tents and is on its irreslstftffil march. The banners are unfurled for all to see, nor shall its sword sleep in its hand, and then some« thing, old girl, about 40 hours M fight. “Oh, dear, dear,” Emmy wife say almost tearfully. “I don’t you carrying on like that, Albert It’s not like you to Ije You know -how it upsets youg? stomach. Now put that awm and get along with you or you’ffi be late. Have you got your p« . and your pencil . . . and your reading glasses? What your pipe, pouch, and matcwjfc Don’t forget your keys. Let n| see your handkerchief. Oh, deari: it’s filthy. Hdw long have yom been carrying that about? People will think I can’t manage There’s a dozen and a half cleiffi ones in your drawer upstairs. I counted them yesterday. Run up and get one. I’ll brush your and coat, and naind you post thoSi letters and be careful how ytf« cross the road.”' Thus armed and accoutred! Albert goes forth to battle, and let’s hope it’s no more formidablethan that.