Four unions are striking again this week over measures to bring in a 24-hour London Underground.
The industrial action is expected to bring widespread misery to London commuters, and is the second strike in two months to shut down the entire London Underground.
Talks between London Underground (LU) staff and Unite, RMT, TSSA and Aslef members broke down after last minute discussions on Monday.
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The industrial action comes as the Conservative government move to introduce a Bill that would severely curtail unions’ ability to strike. But what has strike action ever achieved?
The eight-hour work day
In the 1880s gas workers and dockers won an eight-hour working day after a series of strikes – campaigning to change the normal from 16-hour days to the manageable eight-hour. Their action – eventually supported by the trade unions – aims were solidified in parliamentary legislation.
In pictures: Tube strike in London
Equal pay for women
As popularised by the film The Dagenham Girls (although with a few instances of artistic licence) the 1968 Ford sewing machinist strike caused the Labour government to intervene and pass the 1970 Equal Pay Act.
Brought down a government
Ted Heath’s Conservative government was brought down by the miners a decade before Mrs Thatcher was shown the door. The then PM lost called an election to cement his position – believing that despite declaring a state of emergency and a three-day week the country supported him. They didn’t, and he lost his government.
