The number of days lost to industrial disputes fell in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2007, according to data published this morning from the Central Statistics Office.
A total of 1,477 days were lost by 173 workers as a result of four disputes, with disputes in the manufacturing sector accounting for 87 per cent of days lost.
The bulk of the days lost were as a result of a dispute by 80 staff at Novum (Overseas) Ltd in Clonshaugh, Co Dublin, which began on February 15th and which ran for 16 working days. The dispute centred on the way workers were selected for lay-offs.
Other disputes in the period included strike action by staff at the British Embassy, FAS and construction firm Townlink.
Industrial action by air traffic controllers was not included as it did not involve a work stoppage lasting ten days or more.