Annual Work Stoppages Rise

Annual Work Stoppages Rise

Nineteen work stoppages ended in the September 2005 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. The stoppages all consisted of complete strikes, involved 5,647 employees and resulted in the loss of an estimated $2.385 million in wages and salaries. Stoppages this quarter have had a stronger economic impact compared with the previous quarter, as measured by the number of person-days lost and the estimated loss in wages and salaries.

For the year ending September 2005 there were 50 work stoppages, 14 more than the previous September year. The stoppages involving 13,055 employees, and resulted in the loss of 24,531 person-days of work and an estimated $3.986 million in wages and salaries. The manufacturing industry had the highest number of stoppages, contributing 17 of the 50 stoppages, while the education industry had the highest number of workers involved and losses in wages and salaries.

The transport and storage industry had the highest number of person-days lost in stoppages.

Twenty-nine of the 50 stoppages in the September 2005 year were contributed by the private sector, while the public sector accounted for 21. The public sector had higher losses in estimated wages and salaries and person-days lost, and a higher number of workers involved in stoppages.

There were three ongoing stoppages at the end of the September 2005 quarter.

Ian Ewing

Acting Government Statistician

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