newly through speed-up and The economic boom after the First World go on ta basic and an Increased international competition, how- di 19,976 to the bosses were By 1922 (wo thousand firms had joined the Engineering Employers Federation. The defeat of the miners in 1921 encouraged them to go on the offensive and demand £50 million. After two ballots of their members the unions gave up without a fight.
But the employers raise productivity rapidly they needed to break strength particular they had to re-assert control' in the workplace — and that meant ending the national agreements overtime working. What is more, they knew that the engineers' funds were low, and they could not hold out long if left to fight alone.
So they gave the AEU an ultimatum accept a new agreement or there will be a wage cuts totalling were not satisfied. To organisation. In even more 'managerial covering 'mediate unions. lock-out from 11 March 1922. The union's executive recommended acceptance membersbip refused. They knew that it was crucial to retain control over overtime working with unemployment rising.
The executive recommendation encouraged the employers to stand firm, but the response of the rest of the labour movement leadership was The 'National Council of Labour', involving both the Labour Party and the Trades Union Congress, offered actions and fundraising instead of organising solidarity proposals for ending the dispute which would anu came out will have amounted to virtual surrender In May the employers extended the lock-out - but the the engineers to fight alone, leadership had done nothing non-federated Joint the employers as scabs.
lost members la quarter by the Never before.