British Trade Unions and Industrial Politics: The High Tide of Trade Unionism, 1964-79 (Studies in Labour History)

The years 1964-79 constitute a turbulent period in labour history and the high tide of trade unionism in 20th-century Britain. This volume of essays from contributors from varied disciplines subjects these years to historical scrutiny. Centred on a conception of industrial politics which sees what happened at the grassroots as being as vital as what happened in Parliament and Congress House, it takes a fresh look at well-rehearsed themes and re-examines the policies of the Labour and Conservative Parties. It also provides for analysis of neglected topics such as the role of the Communist, Trotskyist and rank-and-file organizations, as well as of issues of class, gender and ethnicity.