Work Stoppages Increase for March 2006 Year

Embargoed until 10:45am – 18 July 2006

Work Stoppages Increase for March 2006 Year

Sixty-six work stoppages ended in the March 2006 year, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the highest number of stoppages ending in a March year since 1997, when 71 work stoppages ended.

Stoppages ending in the March 2006 year consisted of 61 complete strikes, three partial strikes and two lockouts. The 66 stoppages involved 18,791 employees, with losses of 32,762 person-days of work and an estimated $5.1 million in wages and salaries. The annual estimated loss of wages and salaries per person involved in all stoppages was $273.

Disputes arising from the wage provisions of employment agreements were the main cause of work stoppages, contributing 50 stoppages in the March 2006 year. Of stoppages that ended in the March 2006 year, 47 had the underlying disputes resolved, while 19 ended without the underlying disputes being resolved.

Ten work stoppages ended in the March 2006 quarter. These involved 1,925 employees, with losses of 2,961 person-days of work and an estimated $0.4 million in wages and salaries.

There was one ongoing work stoppage at 31 March 2006.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician

ENDS

© Scoop Media