jan 1, 1969 - "In Place of Strife" white paper published by Barbara Castle.

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White paper - policy dpcuments that set out their proposals for furture legislation.
- Between 1964-1967 the average number of days lost to strikes was 2-3 million. By 1969 it had reached 6.8 million.
- The Donovan Commission (which was set up in 1965) finally reported in 1968. Its major focus was to examine tthe 'informal' collective bargaining system that had developed between trade unions, managers, shop stewards and workers.
- There would be a 28-day 'cooling-off' period before a strike could go ahead.
- Government could impose a settlement when unions were in dispute.
- Strike ballots could be imposed.
- An industrial realtions board would be able to prosecute people who broke the rules.

Voters liked these propsals but unions and labour left hated them.
Protests came from Home Sec James Callaghan and 50 Labour MPs ready to rebel - worry of another Labour split.
After months of protest Wilson finally gave in leaving Castle high and dry.
In 1969 - face-saving compromise but everyone know is was a humiliating defeat. Labour failed to reform the unions.
Union reform came later under a Tory Govt. - it was far worse than Castle's reforms.

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