Industrial relations involve the relationship between employers and employees. Good relations lead to ongoing discussions and disputes being settled without strikes, while poor relations result in disputes, strikes, lost pay and profits.
Trade unions organize workers to protect their interests by negotiating wages, conditions, and representing members. The main union bodies are the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) which represents unions, and the Irish Business & Employers Confederation (IBEC) which represents employers.
Disputes can be resolved through discussions between workers and management, or through conciliation with the Labour Relations Commission or arbitration with the Labour Court as a last resort.