The Future and the Challenges Ahead

One major problem remains for the leadership of Irish labor, and this is the paradox and apparent injustice of the social partnership. To some extent the union leadership feels that they have been short-changed by what has happened over the past 15 years . First they agreed to pay restraint, flexibility, and a more cooperative approach, which enabled the economy to take off. Then, all these high-tech multinationals came in, but the unions are still excluded from participation in the labor management process in these companies, which are, and will continue to be, the engine of Irish prosperity .

Labor issues in Ireland, as in most of the world, are clearly not neatly settled. Ireland is a new and positive model of a cooperative, non-adversarial approach in labor relations. The quick change of attitude on the part of the labor unions only points out the core flexibility of the Irish economic personality.

The negotiation process continues to calibrate the balance of power. Indeed, this continually practiced negotiation process is a valuable step up on the value chain and a clear competitive advantage. A truly vibrant national economy would be expected to encounter ongoing labor involvement as the first global, knowledge-based work force evolves.

About the Author

This chapter was written by Dr. Leslie Shaw . Shaw, an Irish citizen resident in France, is an economist by training and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Dublin, Trinity College. A former supplier account manager at the Irish Electricity Supply Board, he now designs and runs workshops in intercultural negotiation at ESCP-EAP European School of Management in Paris.