Northern Ireland

Strike action by workers in Northern Ireland triples

Workers in Northern Ireland were more likely to strike than anywhere else in the UK in 2015
Workers in Northern Ireland were more likely to strike than anywhere else in the UK in 2015 Workers in Northern Ireland were more likely to strike than anywhere else in the UK in 2015
By Suzanne McGonagle and Press Association

STRIKE action by workers in Northern Ireland tripled last year.

A total of 81,000 people across the UK walked out during 2015, the lowest figure since records began in 1893.

However, Northern Ireland had the highest rate of days lost at 21 per 1,000 employees.

The figure for 2014 was just seven per 1,000.

Northern Ireland witnessed major biggest public sector strikes last year when health, education and transport workers walked out in protest at cuts.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 170,000 days were lost in total across the UK, significantly down on the figure of 788,000 for 2014.

The lowest figure since records began was 2005 when there were 157,000 days lost.

However, the figure of 21 days per 1,000 employees lost in Northern Ireland compared to 15 in London and just one in many other areas of England.

The UK average was six.

Pay disputes were the biggest cause of strikes, followed by rows over redundancies.

Most lasted no more than three days, with 30 per cent being just for one day.