Number of annual work stoppages remains stable

Twenty-nine work stoppages ended in the September 2008 year, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is
equal to the number of stoppages for the September 2007 year. Stoppages in the September 2008 year
involved 5,101 employees, and losses of 10,393 person-days of work and an estimated $2.7 million in
wages and salaries.

In comparison, the 29 stoppages in the September 2007 year involved 7,020 employees, and losses
of 16,738 person-days of work and an estimated $2.9 million in wages and salaries.

Twenty-three complete strikes, five partial strikes and one lockout ended in the September 2008 year.
In the September 2008 quarter, four work stoppages ended – three complete strikes and one partial strike.
These involved 251 employees, and resulted in losses of 93 person-days of work and an estimated $12,000
in wages and salaries.

Geoff Bascand
22 January 2009
Government Statistician
END

There is a companion Hot Off The Press information release published – Work Stoppages: September 2008
quarter.