Employers Call For Public Service Strike Ban in Ireland

By European IR Observatory

Codes of practice on disputes in essential public services were introduced in Ireland in late 2003.

In April 2004, the main employers' organisation, IBEC, called for these non-binding codes to be given legal effect for a three-year trial period, which would prohibit strikes in such services.

In response to current industrial unrest in semi-state firms, such as An Post (postal services) and CIE (transport), the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) - the largest employer representative body in Ireland - called in April 2004 for codes of practice on disputes in essential services, which were introduced late in 2003, to be given legal effect for a three-year trial period. If implemented, this would result in a strike ban. This proposal to introduce a 'no-strike clause' for essential services has been rejected by trade unions, with one union source saying it should not be given too much credence.