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.