Annual work stoppages decrease

Thirty work stoppages ended in the June 2008 year, Statistics New Zealand said today. This compares with 35 stoppages for the June 2007 year. Stoppages in the June 2008 year involved 7,200 employees, and losses of 17,929 person-days of work and an estimated $3.9 million in wages and salaries.

In comparison, the 35 stoppages in the June 2007 year involved 6,474 employees, and losses of 21,015 person-days of work and an estimated $3.5 million in wages and salaries.

Twenty-three complete strikes, five partial strikes and two lockouts ended in the June 2008 year.

In the June 2008 quarter, nine work stoppages ended – six complete strikes and three partial strikes. These involved 3,890 employees, and resulted in losses of 7,412 person-days of work and an estimated $2.2 million in wages and salaries.