Eighteen work stoppages ended in the June 2009 year, 12 fewer than in the June 2008 year.
Quarterly and annual comparisons
Five work stoppages ended in the June 2009 quarter, up from the two stoppages ending in the March 2009 quarter.
The five stoppages recorded in the June 2009 quarter were all complete strikes. The stoppages involved 497 employees, and resulted in losses of 607 person-days of work and an estimated $126,000 in wages and salaries.
Eighteen work stoppages ended in the June 2009 year, made up of 17 complete strikes, one partial strike, and zero lockouts. These stoppages involved 1,551 employees, and losses of 1,783 person-days of work and an estimated $307,000 in wages and salaries.
In comparison, the 30 stoppages that ended in the June 2008 year involved 7,200 employees, and losses of 17,929 person-days of work and an estimated $3.9 million in wages and salaries.
| Annual Work Stoppages |
| June year |
Number of stoppages |
Number of employees involved |
Person-days of work lost |
Estimated loss in wages and salaries $(million) |
| 2007 |
35 |
6,474 |
21,015 |
3.5 |
| 2008 |
30 |
7,200 |
17,929 |
3.9 |
| 2009 |
18 |
1,551 |
1,783 |
0.3 |
Average losses in person-days of work per employee and average losses in wages and salaries per employee both decreased from the June 2008 year. In the June 2009 year, an average of 1.1 person-days of work and $198 in wages and salaries were lost per employee. This compares with 2.5 person-days of work and $545 in wages and salaries lost per employee in the June 2008 year.
| Average Annual Loss per Employee Involved |
| June year |
Person-days of work lost per employee |
Loss in wages and salaries per employee ($) |
| 2007 |
3.2 |
535 |
| 2008 |
2.5 |
545 |
| 2009 |
1.1 |
198 |
Industry distribution of stoppages
The transport, postal, and warehousing industry had the highest number of stoppages in the June 2009 year, with five stoppages (28 percent of all stoppages). This industry also had the largest number of employees involved and estimated loss in wages and salaries.
| Industry Distribution of Work Stoppages |
| Industry group |
Year ending June 2009 |
| Manufacturing |
4 |
| Retail trade and accommodation |
3 |
| Transport, postal, and warehousing |
5 |
| All other industries combined |
6 |
| Total |
18 |
Note: The 'All other industries combined' group includes: electricity, gas, water, and waste services; wholesale trade; professional, scientific, and technical services; administrative and support services; health care and social assistance.
Sector distribution of stoppages
Five public sector stoppages ended in the June 2009 year, down from the June 2008 year when there were 11 public sector stoppages. Thirteen private sector stoppages ended in the June 2009 year, down from 19 in the March 2008 year.
Public sector stoppages that ended in the June 2009 year involved 913 employees, and losses of 794 person-days of work and an estimated $0.2 million in wages and salaries. Private sector stoppages involved 638 employees, and losses of 988 person-days of work and an estimated $0.1 million in wages and salaries.
Resolution of stoppages
The underlying dispute was resolved in seven of the 18 stoppages that ended in the June 2009 year. Three of these were resolved through negotiation between the employer and employee or their representatives. Four stoppages were resolved through mediation services provided by the Department of Labour.
Eleven of the work stoppages that ended in the June 2009 year did not have the underlying dispute resolved.
Ongoing stoppages
At 31 June 2009, there were no ongoing work stoppages.
For technical information please contact:
Becky Chen
Wellington 04 931 4600
Email: info@stats.govt.nz
Next release ...
Work Stoppages: September 2009 quarter will be released on 22 January 2010.