How the 'winter of discontent' strikes brought chaos to Britain in 1978

Public sector pay has become a thorn in the government’s side – and could result in the biggest strike action seen since the 1970s.

Millions of workers are set to vote over whether to take strike action over their salaries this autumn – and it could have a huge effect on Britons' everyday lives.

Strikes on the railway have already caused widespread disruption across the country, while a 5% on teacher pay will effectively mean a real-terms cut, teaching unions say.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called for a pay rise for nursing staff of 5% above RPI inflation, after the government announced a pay award the RCN said leaves an experienced nurse more than £1,000 worse off in real terms.

Walkouts may be seen across vital sectors – including in schools, hospitals, fire stations and the entire transport network.

Postal workers and barristers are also expected to go on strike if they vote with unions, who are angry that staff are not being rewarded sufficiently during the cost of living crisis.

If co-ordinated, the government would see major strike actions all going on at once – with millions of workers walking out at the same time.

The last time such major strike action took place was in 1978, during the so-called ‘winter of discontent’.

Watch: Round-up of strikes breaking out across the country

Then, like today, inflation was soaring and unions were demanding better pay rises for their workers.

Unlike now, it was a Labour government – who are part funded by unions – that was refusing to bow down to the demands.

Led by prime minister James Callaghan, Labour oversaw major strike action during what was the coldest winter for 16 years.

Train drivers, nurses and grave-diggers were among those to stop work and stand on the picket line in demonstration at the government’s stance.

NHS workers created blockades around hospitals during their action, resulting in emergency patients being the only ones able to be admitted.

Rubbish piling high on streets quickly became a familiar sight when binmen also walked out.

Lorry drivers also went on strike in some areas in December, which caused a petrol shortage and subsequently left some Brits struggling to heat their homes in sub-zero temperatures.

In total, around 4.6 million workers went on strike during the winter of discontent, bringing Britain to its knees between November 1978 and February 1979.

Despite the very visible signs of the strike, Callaghan appeared blind to the problems it was causing, denying that there was “mounting chaos”.

Callaghan also incurred more anger when he flew to the Caribbean for a summit, before holidaying in Barbados while Britain froze.

After returning to Britain, Callaghan spoke of swimming in the Caribbean during a press conference about the ongoing strike action.

The government eventually negotiated an end to the strikes with senior union leaders by February 1979 – but the political cost to Labour was dear and it ultimately led to voters switching to Margaret Thatcher and the Conservatives in the general election months later.

With similar mass strikes predicted this winter, coming against a backdrop of soaring energy costs and rising inflation, the problems for the next prime minister – either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak – may well be similar to those face by Callaghan.