WHAT HAVE STRIKES ACHIEVED? Withdrawing labour is an age-old response to workplace grievances. But how old, and to what effect?

The article presents the discussion on withdrawal of labour as a protest. Topics include withdrawing one's skills as a fighter in warfare being a significant bargaining tool; supply issues being linked to the agricultural calendar but the consistent problems of the period show it was also a failure of state; and First World War while maintaining military production being essential.