Summary
Citation:
Office for National Statistics, released 21 April 2026, ONS SRS Metadata
Catalogue, dataset, Labour Disputes, https://doi.org/10.57906/qy07-5022
DOI Name:
Documentation
Description:
The dataset contains monthly data on strikes for the calendar year 2024. The data are collected through the Labour Disputes Inquiry (LDI), a monthly census-style survey collecting information on the number of workers involved in strike action, number of strike days, region, sector and ballots information. The data collected through the LDI is used to produce the ‘Labour Disputes in the UK’ dataset, which includes estimates of working days lost, workers involved in strike action and number of stoppages, each by region, sector and industry.
The ballots data are sparsely populated, as the fields related to ballots are often left empty by the responding organisations. No imputation methods are applied to populate the corresponding columns in the dataset.
The start month of the strike is a derived variable and is included even if the strike started before January 2024.
A strike is defined as a dispute between a single employer and a single union on specific issues. If the reason for taking strike action changes, or if there is a gap of five full calendar months or more between two instances of strike action, they are treated as two separate strikes.
Labour disputes are identified each month by trawling through trade union, media and third-party organisation websites. A questionnaire is then sent to all the organisations identified as being affected by strike action. Where possible, data are collected directly from the organisation involved in the dispute or a suitable third-party organisation. However, if no data can be received from the organisation or an appropriate third party, imputation methods are used.
Coverage
Spatial
Spatial Coverage:
United Kingdom
Geographical Levels:
n/a
Temporal
Start Date:
01 January 2024
Latest Data:
31 December 2024
Frequency:
ANNUAL
Distribution Release Date:
21 April 2026
Provenance
Source:
Survey
Access and Governance
Usage
Condition of Access:
Standard access conditions for the use of data in the SRS
Condition of Use:
Standard conditions for the use of data in the SRS
Resource Creator:
Office for National Statistics
Access
Access Service:
- Safe Rooms, SafePods
- Assured Organisational Connectivity – office based
- Assured Organisational Connectivity – remote access
Jurisdictions:
- GB-EAW
- GB-SCT
- GB-NIR
Data Controller:
Office for National Statistics
Access Level:
Access Level 3
Format and Standards
Languages:
en
Formats:
CSV
Origin
Name:
ONS Secure Research Service