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Commenting on the publication today (Thursday) by the Office for National Statistics of annual data on industrial action, which show that the number of strikes in the UK remains at historic lows, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The official figures reflect the fact that trade unions only strike as an absolute last resort. Strikes are far less common these days and when they take place only tend to last a short time. And it’s the private sector, not public services, where more disputes take place.

16 July 2015

Commenting on the publication today (Thursday) by the Office for National Statistics of annual data on industrial action, which show that the number of strikes in the UK remains at historic lows, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The official figures reflect the fact that trade unions only strike as an absolute last resort. Strikes are far less common these days and when they take place only tend to last a short time. And it’s the private sector, not public services, where more disputes take place.

“These figures show how disproportionate the government’s proposals on strike action are. Even if their new strike thresholds are met, they will legalise the use of agency staff to break strikes. And there are some dangerously intrusive proposals too – unions could be hit by fines if striking teachers, midwives or cleaners use Facebook without telling the authorities first.

“The government’s plans go much further than strike activity. Workplace training, safety and support for millions of workers could be hit by unlimited powers for the government to cap time spent on any union activity. This could even stop a union representative supporting you at a tribunal if you’re the victim of harassment or discrimination.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- In 2014 the UK lost 788,000 days to strikes. The number of days lost to strike action each year is now on average less than a tenth of what it was during the 1980s.  In 1980 the UK lost 11.9 million days to strikes. By 1990, at the end of the Thatcher period, the figure was 1.9 million days.

- In 2014, 56 per cent of strike disputes were in the private sector.

- Paragraphs 25 and 28 of the government’s consultation document on the Trade Union Bill propose that trade unions should be fined if they do not submit 14 days notice of plans to use Facebook and other social media during industrial action.

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

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