This document contains an interactive map and charts summarizing data on strikes in various European countries from 2000-2015. It shows the average number of days not worked due to industrial action per year for each country, as well as the total workers involved in strikes. Some countries had peaks in days not worked in the early 2000s during debates around pension reforms, and again in the late 2000s and early 2010s during austerity measures. The right to strike is protected to varying degrees in different countries' constitutions and laws.

2. interactive map on
strikes in Europe
version July 2016

3. Days not worked due to industrial action in Europe, 2000-2015
No data available for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus (2015), Czechia, France (2014-2015), Greece, Hungary (2011
and 2013-2015), Italy (2009-2013), Latvia (2014-2015), Luxembourg (2008-2015), Poland (2015), Portugal
(2015), Romania (2009-2015), Slovenia (2008-2015).
Data source: ETUI, own calculation.
63
38
82
63
46 47
44
47
56
45
70
35
32
40
23
28
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 23 21 22 21 22 21 19 15
daysnotworkedper1,000employees
year,
number of countries
weighted average

4. Average days not worked due to industrial action in Europe
20-50 days not worked
51-100 days not worked
> 100 days not worked
no data or insufficient
data
< 20 days not worked
Data source: ETUI, own calculation.
2000-2009
weighted average 53 days not
worked per 1,000 employees

5. Average days not worked due to industrial action in Europe
20-50 days not worked
51-100 days not worked
> 100 days not worked
no data or insufficient
data
< 20 days not worked
Data source: ETUI, own calculation.
2010-2015
weighted average 38 days not
worked per 1,000 employees

6. Days not worked due to industrial action, comparing 1990s with 2000s
Note: insufficient or no data for Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia and Greece. No data available for Belgium (1990),
Estonia (1991), Italy (2009), Latvia (1991-1996), Lithuania (1991-1999), Luxembourg (2008-2009), Portugal
(2008-2009), Romania (2009), Slovenia (2008-2009).
wa: weighted average, sa: simple average.
Data source: ETUI, own calculation.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
ES FR DK IT BE FI wa NO IE AT sa LU CY UK MT RO HU SE SI PT DE NL PL LT SK EE CH LV
daysnotworkedper1,000employees
1990-1999 2000-2009

7. Days not worked due to industrial action, 2009-2015
471
149
89
76
69
53
50
45
38
23
20
19
12
11
10
6
3
3
3
1
1
1
0
0
CY
FR
BE
NO
DK
ES
FI
sa
wa
UK
PT
DE
IE
EE
NL
MT
SE
AT
HU
CH
PL
LT
LV
SK
average days not worked per 1,000 employees
Data source: ETUI, own calculation.
Note: insufficient or no data for Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg,
Romania and Slovenia. No data available for Cyprus (2015), Estonia (2015),
France (2014-2015), Hungary (2011 and 2013-2015), Latvia (2014-2015), Poland
(2015), Portugal (2015). Excluding some general and public sector strikes in
2010, 2012 and 2013 in Spain and strikes in public administration in Portugal (all
years).
wa: weighted average, sa: simple average

8. 2
4
5 5
3
8
1
2
3
5
14
8
12
9
5
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
0
3
6
9
12
15
0
5
10
15
20
25
FR GR IT PT ES AT DE LU NL NO SE CH BE DK FI IE UK
southern Europe low-strike countries mixed group
numberofgeneralstrikesperyear
numberofgeneralstrikespercountry
2000-2009 2010-2014 development over time
General strikes (including threats) in western Europe, 2000-2014
Data source: data provided by John Kelly, See Hamann K, Johnston A and Kelly J (2012), Union against
governments. Explaining general strikes in Western Europe, 1980-2006, Comparative Political Studies, 46(9):
1030-1057.
Note: Including general strike threats (2009: Finland; 2001: Luxembourg)

9. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Only strikes. Workers involved excludes workers indirectly involved.
0
100
200
300
400
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
100
200
300
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)
Austria
source: Statistik Arbeiterkammer, Sozialstatistik, Streikstatistik;
ÖGB Streikstatistik
multi-employer bargaining system
Not codified in the Constitution or in national
legislation. No Supreme Court case law
exists on the topic. Since 1870 collective
action has been tolerated.
peak 2003: Union mobilisation against state pension reform and exceptional railway strike against its restructuring.
peak 2011: 2-days warning strikes in the metal sector.

10. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockout. Strikes in the public sector are excluded until 2002. Since 2003 strikes
in the public sector are included except for strikes in the local and county administration.
Belgium
source: Rijksdienst voor Sociale Zekerheid/Office nationale de sécurité sociale
multi-employer bargaining system
Recognised as an individual right and
developed through case law.
peak 2005: Union mobilisation against early-retirement scheme reform.
peak 2011: Public sector strike against pension reforms.
peak 2012: General strike against unemployment scheme reforms, pension reforms and austerity measures.
peak 2014: Country strikes and general strike against austerity measures.
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)

11. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. Excluding strikes that last less than 2 hours. Workers involved
excludes workers indirectly involved.
Cyprus
source: Department of Labour Relations, Labour Disputes Statistics; ILOSTAT.
mixed bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution.
peak 2006: Sectoral one-day strike in construction industry over a renewal of the industry-wide collective agreement.
peak 2011: Public servants’ strike against a two-year pay-freeze and austerity measures.
peak 2012: 24-hour strike in construction industry but also strikes in other industries, mostly in protest to honour pay rises and cost-of-living
increases.
peak 2013: Open-ended strike in the construction industry over the renewal of the industry-wide collective agreement; it was the longest
strike in Cyprus’ history since 1948.
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

12. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. Workers involved excludes workers indirectly involved.
Denmark
source: Danmarks Statistik. Arbejdsstandsninger.
multi-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and
developed through case-law and, most
importantly, regulated by collective
agreements between the social partners.
peak 2008: Large strike in the healthcare and social work sector for a wage increase at time of the renewal of collective
agreements.
peak 2013: Lockout by the municipalities association in the education sector.
0
200
400
600
800
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

13. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. Workers involved includes workers directly and indirectly involved in
2012. Data excludes warning and supportive strikes.
Estonia
source: 2000-2009: ILOSTAT;
since 2010: Statistics Estonia, Subject areas, Economy, Wages and salaries and labour costs,
Statistical database, Strikes;
single-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law.
peak 2003: One-day strike in education and culture workers for pay increase.
peak 2012: Teachers’ strike and strike in health care sector both over pay increase.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
10
20
30
40
50
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

14. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. Workers involved excludes workers indirectly involved.
Finland
source: Statistics Finland, Labour Market, Statistics on labour disputes.
multi-employer bargaining system
Implicitly guaranteed by the Constitution and
explicitly by law.
peak 2005: Four-day strike and numerous other strikes in the paper-industry over a renewal of the collective agreement.
peak 2010: Large two-week strike of stevedores about severance pay and outsourcing besides several other strikes in
manufacturing and in wholesale and retail trade.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

15. right to strike
private sector public sector
France
source: 2000-2004 (volume): ILOSTAT
Since 2005 (volume): ETUI estimate based on combining DARES data and data from the
Direction générale de l’administration et de la fonction publique. The DARES covers industrial
action in the private sector including some semi-public enterprises. The data from the Direction
générale de l’administration covers the public sector and overlaps with the DARES data in case
of some semi-public enterprises. Relying only on the DARES data clearly underestimates the
volume.
2000-2007 (participation): Combining ILOSTAT , Carley (2008) and Carley (2010).
multi-employer bargaining system
Recognised as an individual right and
guaranteed by the Constitution; regulated by
law in the public sector and mainly developed
through case law in the private sector.
peak 2003 and 2010: Union mobilisation against pension reforms.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
data coverage: Strikes
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

16. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: 2000-2003: Strikes and lockouts. Excluding public administration. Workers involved
excludes workers indirectly involved.
Germany
source: 2000-2003: ILOSTAT;
since 2004: WSI estimate.
multi-employer bargaining system
Implicitly guaranteed by the Constitution and
developed through case-law.
peak 2006: Strikes in the public sector, particularly health care, besides short warning strikes in metal industry.
peak 2015: Warning strikes in metal and electrical industry; strikes in the social and education sector.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

17. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. 2012: Only strikes. Excluding strikes that last less than 100 days.
workers involved includes workers directly and indirectly involved.
Hungary
source: 2000-2009: Carley (2004), Carley (2008) and Carley (2010);
2010: Hungarian Statistical Office;
2012: ILOSTAT.
single-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and by law.
peak 2000: National strike in health care sector.
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

18. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Only strikes. Disputes are included if they involve a stoppage of work lasting for at least
one day and the total time lost is 10 or more person-days. Workers involved excludes
workers indirectly involved.
Ireland
source: Central Statistics Office, Databank, StatBank, Labour Market and Earnings, Labour Market,
Industrial Disputes.
single-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by law and developed through
case-law.
peak 2009: 24-hour national public service strike against government’s pay cuts.
0
50
100
150
200
250
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

19. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. Workers involved excludes workers indirectly involved.
Italy
source: Istituto Nazionale di Statistica; ILOSTAT. Official strike data is no longer collected since 2009.
The reports of the Guarantee Commission provides data on called strikes in the so-called
‘essential public services’.
multi-employer bargaining system
Recognised as an individual right and
guaranteed by the Constitution and
developed through case-law.
peak 2002: General strike against labour market reforms.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

20. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. Workers involved excludes workers indirectly involved.
Latvia
source: ILOSTAT.
single-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law.
peak 2008: Not attributable to a single large strike.
0
1
2
3
4
5
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
1
2
3
4
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

21. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Only strikes. Workers involved includes workers directly and indirectly involved.
Lithuania
source: 2000-2008, 2012: ILOSTAT;
2009: Carley (2010);
2010-2011 and 2013: Statistics Lithuania, Official Statistics Portal, Population and social
statistics, Statistical information on strikes.
An estimate is also provided by Carley (2008, 2010).
single-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law.
peak 2008: Various teacher’s strike over a pay increase and other demands and other strikes in the public sector.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
2
4
6
8
10
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

22. right to strike
private sector public sector
Luxembourg
source: Carley (2004), Carley (2008) and Carley (2010). Official data is no longer available since 2009.
mixed bargaining system
Developed through case law.
peak 2007: One-day general strike in public sector and a two-day railway strike over civil service and state employee pensions.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
100
200
300
400
500
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

23. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. Workers involved excludes workers indirectly involved.
Malta
source: Industrial and Employment Relations, Publications and Archives, Archives, Annual Reports;
ILOSTAT.
single-employer bargaining system
Indirectly recognised by law.
peak 2009: Not attributable to a specific large strike.
0
20
40
60
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

24. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Only strikes. Workers involved excludes workersindirectly involved.
Netherlands
source: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, Cijfers, Statline databank, Thema, Arbeidsmarkt,
Vakbeweging en stakingen, Historie Werkstakingen
multi-employer bargaining system
Developed through case law.
peak 2002: Strike action in construction industry.
peak 2012: 15 weeks strike in cleaning sector over renewal of collective agreement besides strike action in the education sector
against austerity measures.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
5
10
15
20
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

25. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockout; excluding strikes that last less than 1 day. Workers involved includes
workers directly and indirectly involved.
Norway
source: Statistics Norway, Statistics, Labour market and earnings, Strikes and lockouts.
multi-employer bargaining system
nearly two yearly peaks: Negotiations about renewal of collective agreements in the economic sectors.
0
50
100
150
200
250
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)
Mainly regulated by collective agreements
between the social partners.

26. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Only strikes; excluding strikes that last less than 1 day; workers involved excludes workers
indirectly involved
Poland
source: ILOSTAT, Yearbook of Labour Statistics.
single-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law.
peak 2008: Various teachers’ strikes over a pay increase and other demands and other strikes in the public sector.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
5
10
15
20
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

27. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Only strikes; excluding public administration; workers involved excludes workers indirectly
involved. The participation in industrial action and the days not worked due to industrial
action are underestimated as the public administration is not included.
Portugal
source: PORDATA. No data for 2008 and 2009
multi-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law.
peak 2002: Several strike actions, particularly in the public sector, against changes in the Labour Code.
peak 2012: major strikes and two general strikes against austerity measures.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

28. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Only strikes. Workers involved excludes workers indirectly involved.
Romania
source: ILOSTAT. Official data is very partial in 2009 and not available after 2010.
single-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law.
peaks 2000 and 2007: Several strike actions in particularly the manufacturing industry.
0
20
40
60
80
100
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

29. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Only strikes; workers involved excludes workers indirectly involved.
Slovakia
source: 2000-2002: ILOSTAT ;
2003-2009: Carley (2004), Carley (2008) and Carley (2010);
Since 2010: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, (on demand).
mixed bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law.
peak 2003: Limited number of strike actions in railways and the public sector.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

30. right to strike
private sector public sector
Slovenia
source: Carley (2004), Carley (2008) and Carley (2010); Trade union data (ZSSS). Official data is not
available.
multi-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law.
peak 2005: Union mobilisation against labour market reforms.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
2
4
6
8
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

31. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts; excluding strikes that last less than 1 hour; workers involved
excludes workers indirectly involved.
Spain
source: ILOSTAT; Ministry of Employment and Social Security, Statistics, Condiciones de trabajo y
relaciones laborales, Huelgas y Cierres Patronales.
multi-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law.
peak 2004: Strike action in shipyards over renewal of collective agreements and against relocation decisions in mainly the
manufacturing industry.
days not worked and workers involved are notably underestimated in 2010 and 2012 and 2013:
general strikes in 2010 and 2012 are excluded as well as various strikes in the public sector in those years and in
2013.
0
100
200
300
400
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
100
200
300
400
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

32. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. Workers involved excludes workers indirectly involved.
Sweden
source: Sweden National Mediation Office, Melding & konflikt, Konfliktstatistik.
multi-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law and in the 1938 collective agreement
between the social partners.
peak 2003: Large strike of blue-collar workers in the municipal and city council sector over a new pay agreement.
0
50
100
150
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
5
10
15
20
25
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

33. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: Strikes and lockouts. Excluding strikes that last less than 1 day. Workers involved includes
workers directly and indirectly involved.
Switzerland
source: Office fédéral de la statistique, Thèmes, Organisation du marché du travail, conventions
collectives de travail, Données détaillées, Grèves et lock-out.
multi-employer bargaining system
Guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated
by law and in the 1938 collective agreement
between the social partners.
peak 2004: Difficult to attribute to a specific large strike.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
2
4
6
8
10
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)

34. right to strike
private sector public sector
data coverage: 2000-2008: Excluding political strikes.
Since 2009: Strikes and lockouts. Excluding strikes that last less than 1 day. Workers
involved includes workers directly and indirectly involved.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
days not worked
(per 1,000 employees)
0
20
40
60
80
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
workers involved in industrial action
(per 1,000 employees)
United Kingdom
source: Office for National Statistics, Browse by Theme, Labour Market, Labour Disputes, Days Lost
due to Industrial Action.
single-employer bargaining system
Regulated by law.
peak 2004: One-day strike by civil servants to protest against governments plans to cut a large number of civil service posts.
peak 2007: One-day strike by postal workers in protest over pay and modernisation plans and one-day strike by prison officers
against the government’s decision to introduce a pay award in stages.
peak 2011: Union mobilisation against public service pension reforms in June and November.

35. Right to strike, legend
yes, with minor restrictions
(e.g. recognized union, balloting,
proportionality, respect of peace
obligation)
yes, with major restrictions
(e.g. monopoly union, compulsory
arbitration or conciliation, restrictions on
issues or content, major groups
excluded
no
yes
private sector
yes, with minor restrictions
(e.g. recognized union, balloting,
proportionality, respect of peace
obligation, only military, judiciary or
police excluded – as per ILO
convention)
yes, with major restrictions
(e.g. monopoly union, compulsory
arbitration or conciliation, restrictions on
issues or content, major groups
excluded
no
yes
public sector
source: J. Visser, Database on Institutional Characteristics of Trade Unions, Wage Setting, State
Intervention and Social Pacts (ICTWSS), database, version 5, November 2015. The indicators
reflect the situation in 2014.

36. Prevelant bargaining regime, legend
Single-employer bargaining system: the establishment or company level is
predominant
Multi-employer bargaining system : sector and/or the cross-sector level is
predominant:
Mixed bargaining system: an intermediate situation where sector and company
negotiations each, respectively, account for at least one-third of those covered by
collective wage-setting arrangements.
source: P. Marginson and C. Welz (2014), Changes to wage-setting mechanisms in the context of the
crisis and the EU’s new economic governance regime. Dublin, Eurofound.