Facing Up to Thatcherism: The History of Nalgo 1979-93

This book provides detailed evidence of how the largest UK public sector union fought against the neo-liberal policies of the Thatcher governments. In particular it traces the union’s opposition to privatization, and its responses to the introduction of market mechanisms in local government, education, and the National Health Service. The authors’ research reveals a vibrant and democratic culture located in the best traditions of progressive trade unionism.

Roger Seifert read Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University before taking an M.Sc. in Economics and later a Ph.D. in Industrial Relations at the London School of Economics. He worked for Incomes Data Service before joining Keele University where he is now Professor of Industrial
Relations. Mike Ironside read Mechanical Engineering at Aston University and then became a local government officer and a trade union activist. He took an MA in Industrial Relations and worked as a research officer for a trade union before joining Keele University as a lecturer in 1990.