Rail workers. Postal workers. Paramedics. Nurses. Baggage handlers. Teachers. The wave of strike action through December has drawn comparisons to the late 1970s "winter of discontent".

Unions are making their demands amidst record-breaking inflation and a cost of living crisis. Critics say they’re excessive during a time of instability.

With union membership much lower than the 1970s, technological advances and more people now being able to work from home, can strike action and the unions still have comparable impact?

On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood takes a closer look with our business correspondent Gurpreet Narwan. Economics professor and research fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Len Shackleton, examines how unions and their impact have changed over the decades. Plus, we speak to Andy Prendergast, the GMB union’s national secretary for commercial services, as we try to find out if there’s a way forward.

Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer
Jada-Kai Meosa John - junior producer
Alys Bowen – interviews producer
Nelly Stefanova and Simon Windsor – archive researchers
Paul Stanworth – editor