Declining Strike Activity in Australia 1983–85: An International Phenomenon?*

The paper investigates the possible effect of Australian incomes policy on strike activity compared to other countries not adopting such a strategy. The chief issue is whether Australia experienced a more pronounced fall in strikes during the 1983–85 period of the Accord than a representative group of other countries. We also seek evidence for the proposition that there is a transmission of industrial restiveness between countries. The results are unambiguous: in an international context the Australian diminution of strike activities after the beginning of the Accord was most unusual, and there is no evidence of a general world-wide transmission of industrial disputation.