Main content
UK’s ‘Winter of Discontent’
In 1979, British public sector workers went on strike over pay. Among those taking industrial action were gravediggers.
In 1979, British public sector workers went on strike over pay. Among those taking industrial action were gravediggers.
But the media, politicians and even their own families turned against them at the thought of bodies being left unburied.
Claire Bowes spoke to the gravediggers’ convener Ian Lowes in 2011.
(Photo: Protestors during the 'Winter of Discontent'. Credit: Getty Images)
Last on
Tue 11 Oct 202202:50GMT
BBC World Service
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Mon 10 Oct 202207:50GMTBBC World Service
- Mon 10 Oct 202211:50GMTBBC World Service
- Mon 10 Oct 202217:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Mon 10 Oct 202221:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Tue 11 Oct 202202:50GMTBBC World Service
Featured in...
![]()
Cost of living—Witness History
Listen to and download our programmes
Podcast
![]()
Witness History
The story of our times, told by the people who were there
