The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) wants to resolve industrial disputes faster and cheaper.

A new strategy aims to make it a “world class” agency that will resolve issues within four months.

It comes as nurses, gardaí, teachers and Luas workers are all involved in various industrial disputes.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton has said they want to improve the WRC so it can deal with the extra action.

“The merit of what we are doing here is we are putting our machinery for dealing with difficult industrial relations issues on the very best footing (in a) world class organisation,” said Bruton.

“I think it (the WRC) has a track record already before any of these reforms. Clearly the resolution of these disputes is for professional dispute resolution bodies.

“The WRC and, indeed, the Labour Court have shown their ability to resolve that.”