The reliability and validity of irish strike data and statistics

Abstract

Abstract: This paper focuses on the problems associated with the measurement of strike phenomena and deals particularly with the three principal dimensions of strikes, namely, strike frequency, number of workers involved and man-days lost. Between 1960 and 1980 many problems associated with the strike frequency index emerged. The problems associated with the other two indices, man-days lost and strike breadth, are not as easily investigated but they appear also to be less serious. In Ireland these deficiencies are of considerable consequence in view of their impact on the country's standing in the international strike record league.