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What have strikes ever achieved? What have strikes ever achieved?
(6 months later)
The Government is moving to crack down on strikes by forcing tougher rules about when workers will be allowed to down tools.  But what have strikes ever done for us?The Government is moving to crack down on strikes by forcing tougher rules about when workers will be allowed to down tools.  But what have strikes ever done for us?
The 1970 Equal Pay Act was introduced as a direct result of the 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike. Women workers in Dagenham walked out after their jobs were downgraded to unskilled, bringing production to the factory to a halt. After a protracted dispute the Labour government intervened and passed equal pay into law.The 1970 Equal Pay Act was introduced as a direct result of the 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike. Women workers in Dagenham walked out after their jobs were downgraded to unskilled, bringing production to the factory to a halt. After a protracted dispute the Labour government intervened and passed equal pay into law.
Before trade unions, workers could work schedules as long as 16 hours a day. A series of strikes by the 1880s by gas workers and dockers won an eight-hour working day, which eventually became the new normal. These gains were solidified in parliamentary legislation.Before trade unions, workers could work schedules as long as 16 hours a day. A series of strikes by the 1880s by gas workers and dockers won an eight-hour working day, which eventually became the new normal. These gains were solidified in parliamentary legislation.
Ted Heath leaves Downing Street to hand in his resignation When people in the UK talk about “the miner’s strike” they usually mean the one in the mid-1980s during Margaret Thatcher’s government. But equally important was the 1974 miner’s strike, which brought down Ted Heath’s Conservative government. Heath called an election to cement his position, running on the slogan ‘who governs Britain?’. The electorate replied by ejecting him from office.
Heavily unionised workplaces in the private sector tend to achieve higher pay for their members, according to research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The study also found that declining trade union density since the 1980s has damaged unions’ ability to negotiate better pay.  As hours lost to strike have fallen, wage rises have become more limited.Heavily unionised workplaces in the private sector tend to achieve higher pay for their members, according to research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The study also found that declining trade union density since the 1980s has damaged unions’ ability to negotiate better pay.  As hours lost to strike have fallen, wage rises have become more limited.