Days lost to industrial disputes rise

The number of days lost to industrial disputes rose significantly last year, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

During 2009 there were 329,706 days lost as a result of action taken by employees, compared to 4,179 days a year earlier.

A total of 23 industrial disputes took place during 2009 as against 12 in 2008. The disputes affected some 278,228 employees and involved 168 firms.

The majority of days lost to industrial disputes occurred in the fourth quarter of the year where 248,176 days were lost. This compares to just 1,397 days lost for the same three-month period in 2008.

The one-day national public sector dispute which was held in November involved a total of 265,400 workers and accounted for a total of 237,268 days lost.

Overall, 8 industrial disputes were in progress during the fourth quarter of last year and these involved 266,334 workers and 8 firms.