Five Work Stoppages Ended in June Quarter

Five Work Stoppages Ended in June Quarter

Five work stoppages ended in the June 2003 quarter, according to latest figures from Statistics New Zealand. There were four complete strikes that resulted in the loss of wages and salaries, and person-days of work. There was one partial strike. In order to protect the confidentiality of the single work stoppage that ended in the March 2003 quarter, no other details will be published about the June 2003 quarter results.

Thirty-one work stoppages ended in the June 2003 year, which involved some 18,179 employees.

There were losses of 42,944 person-days of work and an estimated $7.6 million in wages and salaries. In comparison, 46 work stoppages involving 24,580 employees ended in the June 2002 year. These resulted in losses of 55,849 person-days of work and an estimated $7.9 million in wages and salaries.

The health and community services industry contributed 10 of the 31 work stoppages ending in the June 2003 year. Six stoppages were recorded in manufacturing, four in transport and storage, and three in education. The remaining eight stoppages occurred in other industries.

While health and community services had the highest number of work stoppages, education recorded the highest number of employees involved and loss of person-days of work.

Manufacturing recorded the highest estimated loss in wages and salaries. The education industry contributed about 82 percent of the total 18,179 employees involved.

Eighteen private sector stoppages and 13 public sector stoppages ended in the June 2003 year.

The number of workers involved and the person-days of work lost were higher in the public sector than in the private sector. The loss in estimated wages and salaries was higher in the private sector than in the public sector.

As well as the five stoppages that ended in the June 2003 quarter, there was one other stoppage that was still in progress.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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