The following terms are used in relation to conferences between the Engineering Employers’ Federation and trade unions

A Works Conference literally took place on the works premises and would usually involve the management, shop stewards, convenor and, on occasions, the union area full time official.

A Local Conference took place when the dispute could not be resolved at shopfloor level or factory level. This would involve BEEA officials and local union officials as well as the management and men of the firm involved. Evidence would be presented and usually recorded verbatim.

Central Conference was the final stage in the process when ‘a failure to agree’ had been recorded at the local conference. These meetings usually took place at York and to a lesser extent at London. National level officials of union and employers would conduct the proceedings and present evidence. The proceedings were recorded verbatim.