The impact of the law on industrial disputes in the 1980s: report of a survey of construction companies

This paper reports the results of one part of a research project designed to investigate the nature and extent of the impact of the labour legislation enacted between 1980 and 1990 on the conduct of industrial relations and the processes by which this has come about. Interviews were carried out with managers in a number of companies affiliated to both the Building Employers'' Confederation and the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors. There was a broad similarity in the experience of all our respondents. An accelerated trend away from direct employment was generally seen to be the main factor explaining the low incidence of industrial action over the period under review. The law had been of limited relevance to their industrial relations activities but it was seen as having made some contribution to creating an environment in which management could feel more confident in pursuing its goals.