Labour Research (August 2001)

News

Strikes double in year

The number of days lost in strikes doubled between 1999 and 2000, according to government figures. The figure for the calendar year 2000 was 499,000 - the highest annual total since 1996.

The number of stoppages totalled 212 in 2000 - higher than both the 1999 and 1998 totals of 205 and 166 respectively - the 1998 figure being the lowest total on record.

Eight large stoppages accounted for 96% of working days lost involving the loss of more than 35,000 working days. There were 10 stoppages in the health and social service sector accounting for 24% of days lost; 19% of the days lost were from 116 stoppages in the transport, storage and communications group; and a further 10% were from 38 stoppages in manufacturing.

Strikes over pay accounted for 77% of the working days lost and action over redundancies accounted for 11%.

Nearly half (49%) of strikes lasted just one day and involved 44,800 workers. These accounted for 24% of days lost. There were five stoppages lasting 31 or more days involving 83,700 workers and accounting for 61% of days lost.


This information is copyright to the Labour Research Department (LRD) and may not be reproduced without the permission of the LRD.