Number of Stoppages Up in 2005

20 April 2006

Number of Stoppages Up in 2005

Fifty-three work stoppages ended in the December 2005 year, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the highest number of stoppages ending in a December year since 1996, when 72 work stoppages ended.

Stoppages ending in the December 2005 year consisted of 49 complete strikes, three partial strikes and one lockout. The 53 stoppages involved 14,141 employees, with losses of 27,148 person-days of work and an estimated $4.3 million in wages and salaries. The annual estimated loss of wages and salaries per person involved in all stoppages was $306.

Disputes arising from the wage provisions of employment agreements were the main cause of work stoppages, contributing 41 stoppages in the December 2005 year.

Of stoppages that ended in the December 2005 year, 39 had the underlying disputes resolved, while 14 ended without the underlying disputes being resolved.

Twelve work stoppages ended in the December 2005 quarter. These involved 2,667 employees, with losses of 3,609 person-days of work and an estimated $0.5 million in wages and salaries.

There were six ongoing work stoppages at 31 December 2005.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician

ENDS

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