Annual work stoppages decrease

Twenty-six work stoppages ended in the March 2008 year, Statistics New Zealand said today.

This compares with 40 stoppages for the March 2007 year. Stoppages in the March 2008 year involved 3,664 employees, and losses of 11,049 person-days of work and $1.8 million in wages and salaries.

In comparison, the 40 stoppages in the March 2007 year involved 8,698 employees, and losses of 25,589 person-days of work and an estimated $4.9 million in wages and salaries.

Twenty-two complete strikes, two partial strikes and two lockouts ended in the March 2008 year.

In the March 2008 quarter, three work stoppages ended – all were complete strikes. These involved 118 employees, and resulted in losses of 178 person-days of work and an estimated $24,000 in wages and salaries.