SHORT-TIME WORKING AND PRICE MAINTENANCE - COLLUSIVE TENDENCIES IN THE COTTON-SPINNING INDUSTRY, 1919-1939

This article examines the fortunes of the Lancashire cotton-spinning i ndustry during the interwar years. The uncertainty which dominated the industry during these years made it imperative that firms made some a ttempt at collusion. This collusive activity had two major aspects: sh ort-time working and price maintenance schemes. The justification for these was that they were an attempt to guarantee the survival of 'marg inal' firms in the industry. Using the detailed records of employer an d employee organizations, the article examines the difficulties and te nsions which arise when collusive activity is attempted in an industry having to confront fundamental questions about its long-term survival .