There was a dramatic rise in the number of days lost through strike action in the second quarter of 1997. Figures issued yesterday by the Central Statistics Office show 55,239 were days lost, compared with 13,814 in the first quarter of the year.
The main cause of the increase was the two-week dispute involving 3,500 paramedics and social workers in hospitals and health centres during April. They were claiming pay rises in line with those conceded to nurses earlier in the year. The dispute accounted for 28,000 days, more than half of the total.
A further 11,200 days were lost because of the three-month dispute over restructuring at Irish Life. Nearly 300 sales staff were involved.