Thousands to march in unions’ protest

THOUSANDS of workers representing more than a dozen of the most powerful trade unions in the country will march on the Dáil this Thursday, leaving on a knife-edge almost two decades of industrial relations stability.

After 18 years of social partnership credited by many as crucial to Ireland's economic success proposed talks on a new national pay agreement have been stalled by unions increasingly angered at the Government's failure to protect workers' rights.

Failure to reach a new agreement would see Ireland thrust into the almost-forgotten world of national stoppages a hugely damaging prospect for the economy.