Pete

It was this type of strike that culminated in the "Winter of Discontent" and the election of Margaret Thatcher.

Since 5th September, the 3,800 boilermakers employed by Swan Hunter on the Tyne have been on strike in support of a claim for a wage increase of 171 per cent. The strike was unofficial, in breach of the industry's agreed procedure for the resolution of disputes, and sought to reopen the existing wage agreement with the company which runs to May, 1974. Some 2,400 other employees have had to be laid off in consequence.

From the outset, the company was prepared to begin negotiations on a cost of living claim provided that normal working was resumed and the agreed procedures followed. The strikers persistently ignored their union executive's instructions to return to work.

On 18th October, negotiations began between the company and the union, with the shop stewards in attendance. The company finally offered an immediate increase of £2·50 a week with a further increase of £1 a week in June, 1973; the agreement to last until the current agreement ends in May, 1974. This offer was rejected, the union refusing to put it to its members. I understand that the union negotiators indicated that they would settle for an immediate increase of £3 a week, with a further increase of £1·50 in January. They then made the strike official.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1972-10-23a.786.7