Annual work stoppages decrease

Twenty-nine work stoppages ended in the September 2007 year, Statistics New Zealand said today.

This compares with 50 stoppages for the September 2006 year. Stoppages in the September 2007 year involved 6,979 employees, and losses of 16,678 person-days of work and $2.9 million in wages and salaries.

In comparison, the 50 stoppages in the September 2006 year involved 12,585 employees, and losses of 26,462 person-days of work and an estimated $4.7 million in wages and salaries.

There were 22 complete strikes, six partial strikes and one lockout that ended in the September 2007 year.

In the September 2007 quarter, five work stoppages ended – three complete strikes, one partial strike and one lockout. These involved 2,309 employees, and losses of 7,568 person-days of work and an estimated $1.3 million in wages and salaries.