Britain. January 1972. Prime Minister Edward Heath declares that he will not give in to a 25% wage hike demanded by British coal miners because it is far beyond his 8% national wage guidelines. The miners strike for seven weeks, causing power blackouts, layoffs of tens of thousands of other workers and widespread industrial chaos. Finally, Heath appoints a special commission to arbitrate the miners' demands. The commission recommends a 21% wage increase. Both sides accept. The crisis is settled.
That scenario, at least in its essentials, now appears destined to be repeated in Britain, although the denouement this time...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
