UK dockers' strike (1970)

The docks strike of 1970 was a major industrial action by dockers in the United Kingdom that raised fears of food shortages and led to a proclamation of a state of emergency by Queen Elizabeth II.

Dockers struck for a pay rise of £11 per week (£109 at 2003 prices[1]) on 15 July 1970 and around 47,000 dockers were involved nationally. The strike seriously cut imports and exports and cost the British economy between £50 and £100 million (£495 and 990 million at 2003 prices). The British Army were stood by to protect food supplies but most dockers agreed to handle perishable goods and the strike was largely peaceful. The dockers lost £4 million (£40 million at 2003 prices) in wages.[2]

A court of inquiry was convened under Lord Pearson and proposed an average 7% increase in pay. Though this was at first rejected by the dockers, it was ultimately accepted on 30 July.

References
  1. O‘Donoghue, J. (2004). "Consumer Price Inflation since 1750". Economic Trends. 604: 38–46, March.
  2. "1970: State of emergency called over dock strike". On this Day. BBC. 16 July 1978. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
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