Work Stoppages Fall in the March 2005 Quarter

Work Stoppages Fall in the March 2005 Quarter

Four work stoppages ended in the March 2005 quarter, a decrease of seven stoppages from last quarter, according to latest figures from Statistics New Zealand. The stoppages, consisting of three complete strikes and one partial strike, involved 886 employees and resulted in the loss of an estimated $64,000 in wages and salaries. Eleven work stoppages ended in the December 2004 quarter.

Thirty-two stoppages ended in the year to March 2005, involving 6,389 employees. The stoppages resulted in the loss of 5,079 person-days of work and an estimated $0.9 million in wages and salaries. The manufacturing industry had the highest number of stoppages, contributing 10 of the 32 work stoppages. The manufacturing industry also had the highest number of workers involved, while the transport and storage industry had the highest loss in wages and salaries, and person-days of work. There were five work stoppages in the government administration and defence industry, and four each in the health and community services, and transport and storage industries.

The private sector accounted for 18 of the 32 stoppages in the March 2005 year, while the public sector accounted for 14. Despite a lower number of stoppages, the public sector had a higher number of employees involved in stoppages than the private sector, and a greater loss in wages and salaries, and in person-days of work. There were four ongoing stoppages at the end of the March 2005 quarter.

Brian Pink Government Statistician

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