The number of days lost through strikes in the second quarter of 1996 was 16,682, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. This shows a sharp drop on the 89,872 lost during the same period last year. The sharp increase in strike figures in the middle of 1995 was largely accounted for by the Dunnes Stores dispute.
This year's strike at Dunnes Stores will appear in the figures for the third quarter of 1996. Even so, it seems likely that the number of days lost during 1996 will be considerably lower than in 1995.