Annual work stoppages decrease

Embargoed until 10:45am – 22 April 2008

Annual work stoppages decrease

Twenty-nine work stoppages ended in the December 2007 year, Statistics New Zealand said today. This compares with 42 stoppages for the December 2006 year. Stoppages in the December 2007 year involved 3,980 employees, and losses of 11,035 person-days of work and $1.9 million in wages and salaries.

In comparison, the 42 stoppages in the December 2006 year involved 10,079 employees, and losses of 27,983 person-days of work and an estimated $5.2 million in wages and salaries. There were 24 complete strikes, three partial strikes and two lockouts that ended in the December 2007 year.

In the December 2007 quarter, eleven work stoppages ended – nine complete strikes, one partial strike and one lockout. These involved 732 employees, and losses of 2,307 person-days of work and an estimated $0.4 million in wages and salaries.

Geoff Bascand

Government Statistician

22 April 2008

ENDS

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