Dan Wallace
Question:203 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Minister for Labour the number of man days lost due to industrial disputes in 1988, 1989 and 1990, as compared with the years 1984, 1985 and 1986; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Industrial Disputes Statistics.
The figures requested by the Deputy are as follows:
|
Year |
Work Days Lost |
|
1984 |
386,421 |
|
1985 |
417,726 |
|
1986 |
309,178 |
|
1988 |
143,393 |
|
1989 |
50,358 |
|
1990 |
203,700 |
These figures are compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). However, as the CSO has not yet compiled complete figures for 1990 I have given my Department's provisional estimate for that year.
The figures for the three years 1988 to 1990 which cover the period of the operation of theProgramme for National Recovery compare very favourably with those for 1984, 1985 and 1986. The Programme for National Recovery and its associated pay agreements has resulted in a period of remarkable industrial relations peace. Disputes over pay were at an all-time low during the three years and it is hoped that this trend will continue under th Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
The 1990 figures are disappointing compared with 1989 and 1988 but it should be borne in mind that of these 84 per cent were accounted for by three major strikes, i.e. Waterford Crystal, Barlo, Clonmel and Gateaux, Finglas. The final quarter of 1990 showed an encouraging return to low figures with just 9,000 days lost.