In July 1978, the Labour Government introduced a new guideline for pay rises of 5%. The TUC voted on 26 July to reject the limit and insist on a return to free collective bargaining. Although the government did not make the 5% limit a legal requirement, it decided to impose sanctions on government contractors who broke the limit.

An unofficial strike of road haulage workers started on January 3, 1979, made official a few days later by the Transport and General Workers' Union and the United Road Transport Union. There were pickets at docks and oil refineries, and petrol stations closed. The TGWU agreed a list of essential supplies to be allowed transit in order to prevent the declaration of a State of Emergency and the use of troops. Almost 4 weeks later, lorry drivers settled for £64-65 basic rate for 40 hours week, only slightly less than they had asked for.

Title	Lorry drivers' dispute, 1979
Maker	Trades Union Congress
Production Date	1979
Format	Newspaper
Copyright	Unite - the Union
Holding Institution	TUC Library Collections, London Metropolitan University
Related Objects	--