The first quarter of this year was a bad one for industrial disputes, according to figures released yesterday by the Central Statistics Office.
There were 11 disputes in progress during the first three months of the year, involving 3,376 workers and resulting in 13,629 days lost.
The figures maintain the high levels of days lost recorded for the same period last year and in 1993, but corresponding figures for 1994, 1995 and 1996 were below 5,400.
Labour's spokesman on enterprise, trade and employment, Mr Tommy Broughan, TD, said: "These figures present a warning signal for the Government that unless some progress is made in terms of enhancing social partnership, the number of work days lost as a result of industrial disputes will continue to increase."