For the second time in two years, 110 members of the Building and Allied Trades Union have begun industrial action at one of the country's largest timber frame housing manufacturers, IJM Ltd, in Monaghan.
The unofficial strike began yesterday morning and follows the withdrawal by management of a bonus scheme which was implemented along with union recognition following the 1998 strike. Workers say the bonus was withdrawn on the Wednesday before Christmas and management also introduced a three-day week simultaneously.
IJM said it had an expert studying the effects of the bonus scheme and was awaiting his report.