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Back to the '70s? Back to the '70s?
(30 minutes later)
Rising inflation, soaring oil prices and an economy seemingly grinding to a halt: all characteristics of the economy in 2008.Rising inflation, soaring oil prices and an economy seemingly grinding to a halt: all characteristics of the economy in 2008.
Back to the '70s: see it and hear itBack to the '70s: see it and hear it
But haven't we been here before?But haven't we been here before?
Back in the 1970s the country was experiencing exactly the same problems, which eventually culminated in the "Winter of Discontent" at the end of the decade.Back in the 1970s the country was experiencing exactly the same problems, which eventually culminated in the "Winter of Discontent" at the end of the decade.
Lord Bill Morris, then a new trade union official, and Lord Stanley Kalms, then the head of the electronics retailer Dixons, who have both been look back on the tumultuous year of 1975 and compare it with today.Lord Bill Morris, then a new trade union official, and Lord Stanley Kalms, then the head of the electronics retailer Dixons, who have both been look back on the tumultuous year of 1975 and compare it with today.
Lord Morris LORD MORRIS
If 1975 was a bottle of wine, I would describe it as a vintage year for me personally.If 1975 was a bottle of wine, I would describe it as a vintage year for me personally.
Vintage trade unionist Lord Morris says the situation has improvedVintage trade unionist Lord Morris says the situation has improved
I was living and working in Nottingham in my first job as an officer for the Trade and General Workers' Union.I was living and working in Nottingham in my first job as an officer for the Trade and General Workers' Union.
I used to drive my Ford Cortina all over the country visiting members in different companies.I used to drive my Ford Cortina all over the country visiting members in different companies.
It was a year of immense activity as public sector workers were getting agitated as inflation was rampant and interest rates were high.It was a year of immense activity as public sector workers were getting agitated as inflation was rampant and interest rates were high.
Every morning we received letters and phone calls from members saying that they needed to secure higher wage increases as their standard of living went down.Every morning we received letters and phone calls from members saying that they needed to secure higher wage increases as their standard of living went down.
There are some parallels with today, but there are also some fundamental differences.There are some parallels with today, but there are also some fundamental differences.
Public sector workers in the 1970's could see their colleagues in the private sector getting better wage increases than them.Public sector workers in the 1970's could see their colleagues in the private sector getting better wage increases than them.
Recently we've seen the Shell tanker drivers striking for above inflation pay rises. While in the 1970's we saw the Ford workers striking over exactly the same issue.Recently we've seen the Shell tanker drivers striking for above inflation pay rises. While in the 1970's we saw the Ford workers striking over exactly the same issue.
We've also seen some telephone-number bonuses in the City in the last 18 months, while public sector workers have been limited to around 2%.We've also seen some telephone-number bonuses in the City in the last 18 months, while public sector workers have been limited to around 2%.
But while there are similarities in the economy, there are quite a few differences too.But while there are similarities in the economy, there are quite a few differences too.
Inflation in 1975 was rampant at nearly 27%, while today it is just over 3%.Inflation in 1975 was rampant at nearly 27%, while today it is just over 3%.
Interest rates back then were very high, while today they are manageable. Unemployment was climbing in the 1970s, while today the unemployment situation is much better.Interest rates back then were very high, while today they are manageable. Unemployment was climbing in the 1970s, while today the unemployment situation is much better.
I also think today we are much more aware that one person's job loss today is another person's job loss tomorrow.I also think today we are much more aware that one person's job loss today is another person's job loss tomorrow.
Back in the 1970s the UK was an uneven society. It's not as bad now, but there is still room for comparison.Back in the 1970s the UK was an uneven society. It's not as bad now, but there is still room for comparison.
Lord Kalms LORD KALMS
When I look at back at Dixon's annual report from 1975 it's obvious what a tough time it was.When I look at back at Dixon's annual report from 1975 it's obvious what a tough time it was.
Industry legend Lord Kalms says the trade unions are responsibleIndustry legend Lord Kalms says the trade unions are responsible
In my chairman's report at the end of the year I wrote: "There is no such thing as a really typical year, but the last one was particularly difficult and unbalanced."In my chairman's report at the end of the year I wrote: "There is no such thing as a really typical year, but the last one was particularly difficult and unbalanced."
It was horrendous running a business in those days and we all thought that society was out of control and that we were ungovernable.It was horrendous running a business in those days and we all thought that society was out of control and that we were ungovernable.
While there were many problems, inflation was turning out to be the worst disease that industry could have.While there were many problems, inflation was turning out to be the worst disease that industry could have.
When inflation is soaring you lose control of your costs completely and the only answer is to pass on the price rises.When inflation is soaring you lose control of your costs completely and the only answer is to pass on the price rises.
We had no answer to the union's demands for wage increases of 20%, sometimes 30%. How can you have a society where wages are going up at that level?We had no answer to the union's demands for wage increases of 20%, sometimes 30%. How can you have a society where wages are going up at that level?
I, as businessman, had no confidence in the government to deal with the problem - neither the Conservatives nor Labour had the answers.I, as businessman, had no confidence in the government to deal with the problem - neither the Conservatives nor Labour had the answers.
Today we don't have anything like those problems, we all understand the need to keep inflation low.Today we don't have anything like those problems, we all understand the need to keep inflation low.
The government is on top of inflation coming from this country, but like all governments it has no control over inflation coming from outside the UK in the form of high oil prices.The government is on top of inflation coming from this country, but like all governments it has no control over inflation coming from outside the UK in the form of high oil prices.
Moreover, the unions are not making unreasonable demands, and are asking for wage increases of just a few per cent.Moreover, the unions are not making unreasonable demands, and are asking for wage increases of just a few per cent.
The leadership of the unions is today, I believe, fundamentally responsible.The leadership of the unions is today, I believe, fundamentally responsible.
Looking at today we can get through this period of difficulty, but it does require certain disciplines from the government.Looking at today we can get through this period of difficulty, but it does require certain disciplines from the government.