Professor William Brown: How might we protect the wages of the weak?

Duration: 1 hour 13 mins 45 secs

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Description:	Professor William Brown, Montague Burton Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Cambridge, delivers a public lecture at Madingley Hall on 20 June 2012. The lecture is chaired by Professor Martin Daunton, Master of Trinity Hall and Professor of Economic History at Cambridge, and introduced by Dr Rebecca Lingwood, Director of Continuing Education. Please note that the lecture proper begins at the 04:30 minute point in the video.

Description:

Professor William Brown, Montague Burton Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Cambridge, delivers a public lecture at Madingley Hall on 20 June 2012.

The lecture is chaired by Professor Martin Daunton, Master of Trinity Hall and Professor of Economic History at Cambridge, and introduced by Dr Rebecca Lingwood, Director of Continuing Education.

Please note that the lecture proper begins at the 04:30 minute point in the video.

Created:

2012-07-09 12:31

Collection:

Madingley Lectures
Madingley Lectures

Publisher:

University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education

Professor William Brown

Language:

eng (English)

Keywords:

industrial relations; trade unions; minimum wage;

Credits:

Actor:	Professor William Brown
Author:	Professor William Brown


Abstract:	Throughout much of the 20th century, the wages of the weak were enhanced, directly or indirectly, by the strength of trade unions. In the past two or three decades, global competitive pressures have undermined them. The consequent increase of inequality threatens social stability. One response has been greater government intervention with, for example, more use of minimum wages. Another response is the mobilisation of consumers to protect employment standards by reputational threats to brand names. Wages are too important to society to be left to unconstrained market forces.

Abstract:

Throughout much of the 20th century, the wages of the weak were enhanced, directly or indirectly, by the strength of trade unions. In the past two or three decades, global competitive pressures have undermined them. The consequent increase of inequality threatens social stability. One response has been greater government intervention with, for example, more use of minimum wages. Another response is the mobilisation of consumers to protect employment standards by reputational threats to brand names. Wages are too important to society to be left to unconstrained market forces.

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