Vol. 538 No. 1
80 Mr. Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she envisages a complete review of the industrial relations structures in the State having regard to current industrial unrest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17271/01]
Figures published by the Central Statistics Office at the beginning of April show that there were 39 strikes and 97,046 man days lost in 2000 compared to 32 strikes and 215,587 man days lost in 1999. While the reduction in man days lost during 2000 is a positive development, I am concerned at the extent and nature of industrial action currently taking place.
Some employers and unions are not using their own agreed industrial relations procedures and are resorting to taking unilateral action. Equally, there is a noticeable increase in the incidence of unofficial industrial action. There has been disruption to building work on a number of construction sites in the past year. Unofficial action is undemocratic and does not serve the interests of workers. It is to the benefit of all parties that third party machinery is used before action is taken by either side in pursuit of their aims. A fast track procedure for processing disputes has recently been put in place for the construction industry.
More than four fifths of cases dealt with by the Labour Relations Commission are settled at conciliation. Issues that are not resolved through the use of the Labour Relations Commission's conciliation service are normally referred to the Labour Court for investigation. The majority of Labour Court recommendations are accepted by the parties. Internal dispute resolution machinery within individual companies has also been successful in resolving conflict.
