 An increase in the trade union movement was an inevitable corollary of this and during the war years there was a considerable increase in the membership of the various unions . Despite the considerable rises in the costs of many basic items , the government sought to maintain wages largely as they were . Although the average weekly wage during the war was increased by between 8 – 12 per cent , it was not enough to keep up with inflation and as a result there was considerable discontent amongst workers , to the extent that industrial action followed . Not all of these disputes were due to economic factors , and indeed in some part they were the result of violent opposition to the issue of conscription , which many trade unionists were opposed to . Nevertheless , the result was very disruptive and it has been estimated that between 1914 and 1918 there were 1 @,@ 945 industrial disputes , resulting in 8 @,@ 533 @,@ 061 working days lost and £ 4 @,@ 785 @,@ 607 in lost wages . 
