The Post Office Act 1977 (c. 44) was an
Act of Parliament
Acts of Parliament, sometimes referred to as primary legislation, are texts of law passed by the Legislature, legislative body of a jurisdiction (often a parliament or council). In most countries with a parliamentary system of government, acts of ...
of the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, which regulated
corporate governance
Corporate governance is defined, described or delineated in diverse ways, depending on the writer's purpose. Writers focused on a disciplinary interest or context (such as accounting, finance, law, or management) often adopt narrow definitions ...
at the
Post Office
A post office is a public facility and a retailer that provides mail services, such as accepting letters and parcels, providing post office boxes, and selling postage stamps, packaging, and stationery. Post offices may offer additional ser ...
. It required that employees had voting rights for the board of directors. It is generally thought to have proved successful, but was repealed in 1979.
Contents
Section 1(1) substituted 19 for 12 directors on the board, under the
Post Office Act 1969
The Post Office Act 1969 (c.48) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that changed the General Post Office from a department of state to a public corporation, known as the Post Office. It also abolished the office of Postmaster Gener ...
section 6(2).
Section 1(2) inserted a new section 6(2A) saying the maximum number would be reduced back to 12 on 31 March 1980, unless the Secretary of State made an order otherwise, draft approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
Operation
The first new board met in January 1978. Qualitative empirical work suggests that the board functioned harmoniously, and worker participation on the board was welcomed. The Conservative government was elected on 4 May 1979. It let the two year ‘experiment’ under the Post Office Act 1977 lapse. This was criticised in Parliament, but went ahead.
See also
*
UK labour law
United Kingdom labour law regulates the relations between workers, employers and trade unions. People at work in the UK can rely upon a minimum charter of employment rights, which are found in Acts of Parliament, Regulations, common law and equit ...
*
UK company law
The United Kingdom company law regulates corporations formed under the Companies Act 2006. Also governed by the Insolvency Act 1986, the UK Corporate Governance Code, European Union Directives and court cases, the company is the primary lega ...
References
*E Batstone, A Ferner and M Terry, ''Unions on the board: an experiment in industrial democracy'' (1983)
*Lord Winterbottom, HL Deb (21 July 1977) vol 386, cols 548-64, debate before sent to committee.
*Secretary of State for Industry, Sir Keith Joseph, Hansard HC Deb (12 December 1979) vol 975, cols 1303-12.
*Viscount Trenchard, HL Deb (12 December 1979) vol 403 cols 1158-66
United Kingdom labour law
United Kingdom company law
United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1977