The Ulster Workers' Council general strike affects weekend shopping in Belfast city centre.
In May 1974, the Ulster Workers' Council (UWC) responded to the new Sunningdale power-sharing agreement by calling a general strike against it. The loyalist strikers blocked roads and cut off essential services in Northern Ireland.
Although the UWC has permitted shops to open today, footfall around Donegall Place in Belfast city centre is affected.
Many shoppers from Northern Ireland are choosing to cross the border for their fuel and food supplies which have been seriously hit by the UWC strike. This brings an unexpected but welcome boost to trade south of the border in Dundalk and Lifford in Donegal.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 May 1974. This footage has natural sound only.
