Improved employee engagement is the key to better industrial relations, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

A CIPD survey has found that a quarter of unionised organisations have been affected by strike action in the year, while a third of employers believe they may experience some strike action by some workers in the next year. 

Almost half (49%) of public sector respondents reported strike action in the past year and 51% believe strike action is likely in the forthcoming year.  Only 12% of private services companies were affected by strike action last year, but 28% of respondents in the sector believe strike action is possible in the coming 12 months.

Pay is the primary reason for industrial action for eight in ten employers and 90% of firms think pay will be critical in any further disputes.

Jackie Orme, chief executive at CIPD, said: “Pay restraint is undoubtedly having an effect on the industrial relations climate.  But talk of a winter of discontent is wide of the mark.  As employers have got better at engaging their employees, union influence has declined and employee understanding of the realities facing employers has grown.”