1. 20 Years of Social Partnership in Ireland Presentation to the Western Australia Industrial Relations Society by Declan Morrin Director of Advisory Services Labour Relations Commission Dublin

3. Irish Industrial Relations System Voluntarist. Union density (declining). –20-30% in Private Sector. –80% in Public Sector.

4. Irish Industrial Relations Environment Relatively stable IR. Low Strike Levels. Social Partnership. Moderate pay increases.

5. Irish Industrial Relations Institutions LRC. Labour Court. Employment Appeals Tribunal. Equality Tribunal. National Employment Rights Agency.

6. Labour Relations Commission Established in 1991. Promotes good IR. LRC provides –Advice, Conciliation, Mediation and Rights Commissioner Services. Tri-Partite Board. 50 staff. 14 Rights Commissioners. State Funded.

7. Advisory Service Promotes good practice. Codes of Practice. Training. Research. IR ‘Health’ Checks. Non-union sector. SME Sector.

8. Conciliation Helps disputing parties to resolve issues. Usually collective issues. 1,500 to 1,700 cases per annum. 75%-80% settled.

9. Rights Commissioners Deal with individuals or small groups. Employment Rights issues mainly. Over 7,000 cases in 2006. Rights Commissioners nominated by Union or Employer bodies. They are experienced IR practitioners.

10. Ireland In The Late 1980’s Economic stagnation. Unemployment 19%. Inflation 20%. Mass emigration. Possible IMF intervention.

11. Social Partnership Programme for National Recovery 1987-1990. Programme for Economic and Social Progress 1991- 1993. Programme for Competitiveness and Work 1994-1996. Partnership 2000 for Inclusion, Employment and Competitiveness 1997-1999. Programme for Prosperity and Fairness 2000-2002. Sustaining Progress 2003-2005. Towards 2016 – A 10 Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement 2006-2015.

12. Celtic Tiger Stable cost base for employers Euro Zone Stable Public Finances Stable Industrial Relations

13. Strike Statistics and Trends

14. Inward Migration Poland 150k China 60k Lithuania 45k Latvia 30k Nigeria 28k UK 25k USA 6kPhilippines 5k Romania 5k Pakistan 4.5k

15. Inward Investment 1,200 Foreign Owned Companies 40% of US Investment in electronics Most profitable location for US investors Software Capital Call Centres Financial Services Pharmaceutical and medical devices

16. Economist Business Intelligence Unit

17. Social Partnership Impacts One million new jobs Unemployment from 19% to 4.4% GNP increased five fold Better living standards Personal taxation down from 60% to 42%

18. Enterprise Level Partnership Active Relationship Common Interests Complementary Commitments Common Ownership of Challenges Enhance Prosperity and Success Employee Involvement and Participation Enhance Work Environment

19. Benefits of Partnership Improvements in: –Performance –Productivity –Innovation –Benefits –Morale –Gain Sharing

20. Celtic Tiger Mark 2 National Workplace Strategy –Innovation –Change –Future Skills –Greater Access –Quality of Working Life

21. Further Information Internet: www.lrc.iewww.lrc.ie Email: declan_morrin@lrc.ie