Mandate Trade Union confirmed today that they have agreed to suspend strike action in Boots for one week in order for discussions in the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to continue.

A representative of the Mandate union has today said that he is 'quietly optimistic' that the outcome of the national pay talks will protect low paid workers from the effects of inflation and hardship this winter.

Workers at hardware retailer Bolands in Arklow, Co Wicklow have voted to strike in a row over pay.

PHARMACY workers are being used as pawns by their employers to advance their dispute with the Health Service Executive, the Mandate union claimed yesterday.

Talks on a new national partnership agreement will formally begin tomorrow after the umbrella body of trade unions agreed to enter the negotiations.

The main trade union for bar workers clashed tonight with a campaign to force a Government climbdown over plans to outlaw smoking in the workplace from the start of next year.