Annual work stoppages decrease

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

Stoppages in the December 2008 year involved 4,993 employees, and losses of 8,587 person-days of work and an estimated $2.4 million in wages and salaries.

In comparison, the 31 stoppages in the December 2007 year involved 4,090 employees, and losses of 11,439 person-days of work and an estimated $1.9 million in wages and salaries.

Eighteen complete strikes and four partial strikes ended in the December 2008 year.

In the December 2008 quarter, five work stoppages ended – all were complete strikes. These involved 434 employees, and resulted in losses of 516 person-days of work and an estimated $99,000 in wages and salaries.