On this day, 22 September 1978, Ford workers in the UK sparked the “winter of discontent” when 15,000 of them walked out on wildcat strike for a pay increase, amidst rising prices.
The cost of living was increasing rapidly, and inflation 1978 was 8.3%. However, the Trades Union Congress agreed for the Labour government to impose a pay cap of just 5% – meaning real terms pay cuts for all workers.
So thousands of workers at Ford motors just walked out on strike themselves, indepently of the unions. Within a few days they were joined by 57,000 more strikers, who stayed out until they won a 17% pay increase in November. Over a million other workers then followed their example, many winning pay increases well over the 5% cap.
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