Strike action on the increase
New research published today has found that over the past year one in five businesses were affected by strike action.
The survey carried out by law firm DLA found a worsening in the state of UK industrial relations and twice as many strikes over the last 12 months as the previous 12.
DLA polled 370 employers, with 1.7m employees, and 22 trade unions. It found that one in three public sector employers is expecting matters to get worse over the coming years and 48% of all employers expect some industrial unrest.
Pay, working conditions and job security were found to be the most common cause of strike action, with pensions becoming an issue as employees raise concerns over the closure of final salary schemes and the proposed government changes to compulsory retirement ages.
Mark Leach, co-author of the survey, explained that official statistics for days lost are the highest in over a decade.
Predicting the level of strike action over the next year Mr Leach said: ‘With a call by certain trade union leaders for co-ordinated action and days of protest, it is possible that we will see a greater intensity to strike action, in relation to issues such as pay, pensions and public sector reform.’
The DLA survey follows a warning from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) that a rise in trade union militancy was slowing the pace of public service reform, and jeopardising the UK’s economic competitiveness.
