The Lessons of the Lucas Campaign: the Role of the State

The significant development of tripartite arrangements between business, the State and the trade unions is a well‐documented feature of modern industrial relations and economic planning. The “Social Contract” is probably the most overtly political form of collaboration to arise for a number of years. The tripartite arrangements over industrial strategy (Neddies) have been welcomed by many for they provide a forum for theoretically non‐confrontational politics. The instruments available to the State in relation to industrial and economic and employment policies and practices are now legion, but the operation of those instruments seems increasingly to diverge from the original hopes and objectives. The campaign by Lucas Aerospace workers provides an interesting case study in this field.