CTU MEDIA RELEASE
18 July 2006
Most Employment Agreements Settled Last Year Without Work Stoppages, CTU says
“Most collective agreements were settled last year without the need for industrial action,” CTU president Ross Wilson
said today.
Statistics New Zealand data released today showed ten work stoppages ended in the March 2006 quarter, and sixty-six
stoppages ended in the year to March 2006.
"As a result of last year's union campaigns hundreds of employers agreed to settlements of 5% or more. Of the more than
2,500 collective agreements in place, the vast majority were settled without work stoppages in the year to March 2006.”
“Those employers that were unrealistic about the need for a decent wage increase saw workers exercising their right to
take industrial action in support of a wage claim.”
“Workers through their unions will continue to argue for regular wage increases at above the level of inflation. For
most, strike action is not needed but when employers are unwilling to negotiate a fair outcome then workers have a
lawful right to strike,” said Ross Wilson.
ENDS