The workers' association of the North Western Train Lines Co. has decided to declare a strike unless all its members receive an immediate salary raise of 15% percent. This did not deter the chairperson of the board, who was quoted saying: "The chances of a strike remain slim. This is the third time in as many years that the worker's association has threatened to go on strike if we don't increase their wages, yet we haven't had a strike on that matter in half a decade."
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the chairperson's conclusion?

a) A three day strike was held the year before last year after the chairperson refused to cancel a five percent pay cut following a warning by the workers' association that a strike would be inevitable.

b) Strikes are far more common in countries with large socialist parties than in capitalist countries such as the USA.

c) Unlike the last two years, in which the deliberation over the salary raise reached a stalemate, this year the governing board of the North Western Train Lines Co. decided to raise the salary throughout the organization by 5%.

d) Over the past three years, there has been an influx of 3% in the number of North Western Train Lines Co. employees.

e) Six years ago a strike was called over the board's refusal to raise the salaries by 10%.

OA C

Source: Economist Gmat