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I thought the three-day work week and power cuts were related to the miners strikes and such things?
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Thu May 22nd, 2008 at 08:04:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]
at the time of the three day week a particularly intrepid reporter went to the editor of the Daily Mirror and suggested that they hire a light aircraft, and fly over the power stations to take stereoscopic photos of the coal stockpiles and from calculating their size, see whether a three day week was truly necessary. he was told it wasn't necessary as the leader of the miners union had personally assured the editor that there was plenty of coal at the power stations. So he rang the editor of the Daily Telegraph suggesting the same scheme, only to be told it wasn't necessary as the editor had been personally rung by the prime minister and assured that there was definitely a severe coal shortage at the power stations.

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.
by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Thu May 22nd, 2008 at 09:24:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I am right in thinking that it was at best a second or third order effect of the oil shocks though? Inflation leading to industrial unrest?
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Thu May 22nd, 2008 at 09:48:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]
from what I remember yes, although I remember it being said to show the necessity of reform, etc. etc. and has been used ever since as a stick to beat the unions with.

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.
by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Thu May 22nd, 2008 at 10:14:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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