Three-Day Week

The Three-Day Week was one of several measures introduced in the United Kingdom by the Conservative Government 1970–1974 to conserve electricity, the generation of which was severely restricted owing to industrial action by coal miners. The effect was that from 1 January until 7 March 1974 commercial users of electricity were limited to three specified consecutive days' consumption each week and prohibited from working longer hours on those days. Services deemed essential (e.g. hospitals, supermarkets and newspaper prints) were exempt.[1] Television companies were required to cease broadcasting at 10.30 pm during the crisis to conserve electricity.[2][3]

Background

Throughout the mid-1970s, especially 1974 and 1975, the British economy was troubled by high rates of inflation. To tackle this, the government capped public sector pay rises and publicly promoted a clear capped level to the private sector. This caused unrest among trade unions as wages did not keep pace with price increases. This extended to most industries including coal mining, which provided the majority of the country's fuel and had a powerful trade union.

By the middle of 1973, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) – drawn from a workforce who almost wholly worked for the National Coal Board — was requiring their members to work-to-rule; and as imports would affect the balance of trade, coal stocks slowly dwindled. The global effect of the 1973 oil crisis also drove up the price of coal. The administration of Prime Minister Edward Heath entered into negotiations with the NUM, to no avail. To reduce electricity consumption, and thus conserve coal stocks, Heath announced a number of measures on 13 December 1973, including the "Three-Day Work Order", more commonly known as the Three-Day Week, which came into force at midnight on 31 December. Commercial consumption of electricity would be limited to three consecutive days each week.[1] Heath's objectives were business continuity and survival and to avoid further inflation and a currency crisis. Rather than risk a total shutdown, working time was reduced to prolong the life of available fuel stocks. This was designed to be short-term remedial austerity that reduced wages for people, a sort of economic rationing as seen until 1954 but of a different product: coal.

In late January, 81% of NUM members voted to strike, having rejected the offer of a 16.5% pay rise.[4] In an act of brinkmanship, Heath called the February 1974 general election while the three-day week was in force. His government emphasised the pay dispute with the miners and used the slogan "Who governs Britain?". The election resulted in the Conservative Party losing its majority (although without consequence, having the largest share of the vote), while Labour became the party with the most seats (had a plurality) in the House of Commons, without an overall majority (a Hung Parliament). In the resulting talks, Heath failed to secure enough parliamentary support from the Liberal and Ulster Unionist MPs; and Harold Wilson returned to power in a minority government. The normal working week was restored on 8 March, but other restrictions on the use of electricity remained in force.[1] A second general election was held in October 1974 cementing the Labour administration, which gained a majority of three seats.[5]

The new Labour government increased miners' wages by 35% immediately.[6] In February 1975, a further increase of 35% was achieved without any industrial action.[7]

In the campaign for the 1979 general election, after the Winter of Discontent running into that year, both main adversaries had startling graphic advertisements: Labour reminded voters of the Three-Day Week, with a poster showing a lit candle and bearing the slogan "Remember the last time the Tories said they had all the answers?"[8] and they ran with Prime Minister James Callaghan on his arrival back from a conference in Guadeloupe who played down the crisis. The Conservatives took advantage of this in saying "Crisis, What Crisis?". The Conservatives' message prevailed, and Margaret Thatcher became prime minister.[9][10] Their main campaign slogan was "Labour Isn't Working".[11]

Further reading

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "British Economics and Trade Union politics 1973–1974". The National Archives (UK Government records).
  2. ↑ "The UK in the 1970s". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Transcription of Radio Times TV listing for 7 January 1974". The TV Room Plus. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  4. ↑ BBC ON THIS DAY 7 February 1974 Heath calls snap election over miners
  5. ↑ "1974 Oct: Wilson makes it four". BBC News. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  6. ↑ BBC ON THIS DAY 6 March 1974 Miners' strike comes to an end
  7. ↑ BBC ON THIS DAY 13 February 1975 Miners set for 35 per cent rises
  8. ↑ "The power of persuasion". Daily Express. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  9. ↑ "1979: Election victory for Margaret Thatcher". BBC on this day (4). BBC News. 4 May 1979. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  10. ↑ "Winter of Discontent: 30 years on". Business. BBC News. 6 September 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  11. ↑ "The Poster that Won the Election". Back space. September 2002. Retrieved 25 May 2012.