This article was originally published August 2022.

There has been a significant decline in union-led strike action in the 21st-century UK. But with average public sector pay increasing by 1.5% between March and May 2022 (versus 7.2% in the private sector) and households facing a cost of living crisis, industrial disputes are on the rise again in the UK.

Strike action has already picked up in recent months, particularly among rail workers. Now unions in other sectors, including those for airlines, port workers and exam markers, are asking members to vote on whether or not to follow suit. Unions are legally required to hold a ballot for members to approve industrial action.

Workers that vote in favour could look to history for insight into how to make a strike work. Some of the more successful campaigns waged by UK unions happened in the 1970s. Trade union membership had reached a peak of 13.2 million by 1979, after years of sustained growth. Crucially, these unions also faced fragile governments and strong public support for striking workers.

On the other hand, many of the most famous national strikes in Britain are somewhat notorious for being unsuccessful. And even the victories have often been followed by greater restrictions on unions.