Jim Mitchell
Question:6 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline the total man days lost due to strikes for the first four months of 1991; and the corresponding figures for the same period in 1989 and 1990.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Disputes.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:26 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Labour whether there has been an increase in the number of strikes and industrial disputes in recent times; and, if so, his views as to the causes thereof and the solutions thereto.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 26 together.
My Department estimate that the numbers of strikes and days lost for the periods in question are as follows:
|
Period |
No. of Strikes |
Days Lost |
|
January-April 1989 |
16 |
12,020 |
|
January-April 1990 |
25 |
69,698 |
|
January-April 1991 |
18 |
38,030 |
While the 1991 figures show an increase on the 1989 figures they are well down on the 1990 figure. Of the 38,030 days lost in the first four months of this year, over 26,000 were the result of the recent ESB dispute.
The figures show that there has not been an increase in strikes in recent times and I am confident that the industrial relations peace achieved during the period of the Programme for National Recovery will continue under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.