The number of strikes is at its lowest level EVER

The transport and storage sector accounted for more than two thirds of all working days lost to disputes, in a year when bitter rows over the role of train guards led to a series of strikes by RMT workers at five rail operators

The number of strikes in the UK last year was the lowest on record, new figures revealed today.

Around 33,000 workers were involved in disputes, also a record low, while the 79 separate stoppages was the lowest number since records began in 1891, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

There were 276,000 working days lost due to industrial disputes, the sixth lowest annual total on record.

The transport and storage sector accounted for more than two thirds of all working days lost to disputes, in a year when bitter rows over the role of train guards led to a series of strikes by RMT workers at five rail operators.

Tube strikes in London prompted chaos as commuters scrambled to try and use buses instead.

Other strikes last year included action at the Bank of England over pay. 

The figures will be seen as proof union power is continuing to weaken in Britain as workers desert the organised labour bodies.  

ONS senior statistician David Freeman said: ‘While the number of days lost wasn’t quite a record low, it has significantly reduced since the early 1990s.

‘This is a stark contrast to the levels seen when the miners went on strike in the 1970s and 1980s, and the even greater levels of industrial action in the 1910s and 1920s.’

Wage disputes accounted for about half the number of stoppages in 2017 and 205,000 working days lost.

There were 276,000 working days lost in 2017 due to industrial disputes, the sixth lowest annual total on record. There were fewer strikes overall, at 79. The peak in 1926 was the general strike 

There were 276,000 working days lost in 2017 due to industrial disputes, the sixth lowest annual total on record. There were fewer strikes overall, at 79. The peak in 1926 was the general strike 

Unite took action at the Bank of England last year to protest unfair pay, supported by shadow chancellor John McDonnell 

Unite took action at the Bank of England last year to protest unfair pay, supported by shadow chancellor John McDonnell 

London had the highest rate of days lost in 2017 at 28 days per 1,000 employees, while the lowest was Wales where its rate, rounded to the nearest whole number, was zero.

All areas except London, Scotland and Northern Ireland saw a drop when compared with 2016.

More than 162 million working days were lost during the general strike in 1926, 29.5 million in the 1978/79 winter of discontent, 27.1 million in the year of the miners’ dispute in 1984 and 23.9 million in 1972, mainly due to a miners’ strike.

Tube strikes in London in January 2017 prompted chaos as commuters scrambled to try and use buses instead

Tube strikes in London in January 2017 prompted chaos as commuters scrambled to try and use buses instead

 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk