Year_8


 * //We have been looking at industry and what// happens when industry changes.

Margaret Thatcher UK Prime Minister (1979–1990)**

Margaret Thatcher was angered when someone suggested that it was her job to manage the UK's decline. Instead, she wanted the country to rise and become more important internationally. She wanted a Britian where the government interfered less in people’s lives. She became close to President Ronald Reagan, the president of the USA, and it is said that she survived on having just four hours sleep per night. She also was keen to reduce the power of the trade unions. Trade unions are organizations that help to keep wages high and conditions for workers good, but sometimes they do so, at the expense of letting businesses make a reasonable profit.

Many politicians even on her own side disagreed with what she was doing, and encouraged her to change her mind, "You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning!"

Margaret Thatcher lowered taxes when there was a recession and although many people disagreed she introduced a different tax, the VAT. By 1983, economic growth was stronger and interest rates were at their lowest levels since 1970. Manufacturing output, however, had dropped 30% from 1978 and unemployment reached a figure of 3.6 million. The term "Thatcherism" came to refer to her policies as well as aspects of her outlook and style, proclaiming what she thought was right, believing in Britain and being an individual.

Thatcher was committed to reducing the power of the trades unions. Several unions created strikes to stop her from weakening them. According to the BBC, Thatcher "managed to destroy the power of the trade unions for almost a generation." In 1984 the National Union of Mineworkers ordered a strike, as a protest against the closure of minds. Margaret Thatcher refused to meet the demands of the unions and famously referred to the strike, saying, "We had to fight the enemy without in the Falklands. We always have to be aware of the enemy within, which is much more difficult to fight and more dangerous to liberty." Violence was common during the year-long miners' strike; controversial police tactics were used on strikers. After a year of striking, in 1985, the NUM leadership gave up without a deal. The Conservative government proceeded to close 25 mines in 1985; by 1992, a total of 97 mines had been closed with the remaining being sold. The closing of the mines resulted in a loss of jobs and thus an increase in unemployment.
 * Trade unions**

In another display of her views of less-government control, Thatcher broke up the state-owned British shipbuilders and privatised the companies. Only few British shipyards survive today.

When Margaret Thatcher left her role as Prime Minister she said: "Eleven years ago we rescued Britain from the parlous state to which socialism had brought it. Once again Britain stands tall in the councils of Europe and of the world. Over the last decade, we have given power back to the people on an unprecedented scale. We have given back control to people over their own lives and over their livelihoods, over the decisions that matter most to them and their families. We have done it by curbing the monopoly power of trade unions to control, even victimize the individual worker."

A trade union or labor union is an organisation of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in wages, hours, and working conditions. The trade union bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates with employers. This may include wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety and policies. The agreements negotiated by the union leaders are binding.
 * What is a Trade Union?**

Over the last three hundred years, many trade unions have developed into a number of forms, influenced by differing political and economic regimes. The immediate objectives and activities of trade unions vary, but may include: