Quarterly comparisons
Five work stoppages ended in the June 2010 quarter. This is the lowest number of stoppages for a June quarter in three years.
The five stoppages recorded in the June 2010 quarter consisted of one lockout and two stoppages each for complete and partial strikes. The stoppages involved 3,744 employees, and resulted in losses of 356 person-days of work, and an estimated $61,000 in wages and salaries.
Annual comparisons
Twenty-nine stoppages ended in the June 2010 year, an increase of 10 stoppages compared with the June 2009 year (19 stoppages). This is the first increase in the annual number of stoppages since the June 2006 year.
The 29 work stoppages that ended in the June 2010 year consisted of 21 complete strikes, six partial strikes, and two lockouts. These stoppages involved 13,829 employees, and a loss of 17,989 person-days, and an estimated $3.1 million in wages and salaries.
In comparison, the 19 stoppages that ended in the June 2009 year comprised of 17 complete strikes and two partial strikes. These stoppages involved 1,591 employees, with losses of 1,783 person-days of work and an estimated $0.3 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 $(million) |
| 2006 |
60 |
16,628 |
27,536 |
5.3 |
| 2007 |
35 |
6,474 |
21,016 |
3.5 |
| 2008 |
30 |
7,200 |
17,929 |
3.9 |
| 2009 |
19 |
1,591 |
1,783 |
0.3 |
| 2010 |
29 |
13,829 |
17,989 |
3.1 |
The average losses in person-days of work per employee and average losses in wages and salaries per employee both increased from the June 2009 year.
| Average annual loss per employee involved |
| June year |
Person-days of work lost per employee |
Loss in wages and salaries per employee ($) |
| 2008 |
2.5 |
545 |
| 2009 |
1.1 |
193 |
| 2010 |
1.3 |
221 |
Industry distribution of stoppages
The manufacturing industry had the highest number of stoppages in the June 2010 year, with seven stoppages (24 percent of all stoppages). The health care and social assistance industry had the largest number of employees (7,269) involved, while the public administration and safety industry had the highest estimated loss in wages and salaries (just under $0.8 million).
| Industry distribution of work stoppages |
| Industry group(1) |
Year ending June 2010 |
| Manufacturing |
7 |
| Education and training |
5 |
| Public administration and safety |
4 |
| Health care and social assistance |
3 |
| All other industries combined(2) |
10 |
| Total |
29 |
1. Australian and New Zealand Standard for Industrial Classification, 2006 (ANZSIC06).
2. The 'All other industries combined' group includes: mining; construction; wholesale trade; retail trade and accommodation; transport, postal and warehousing; and information media and telecommunications. |
Sector distribution of stoppages
In the June 2010 year there were 16 and 13 work stoppages for private and public sectors, respectively.
Private sector stoppages involved 8,730 employees, and losses of 10,466 person-days of work, and an estimated $1.4 million in wages and salaries for the June 2010 year.
Public sector stoppages that ended in the same period involved 5,099 employees, and losses of 7,523 person-days of work, and an estimated $1.6 million in wages and salaries.
Resolution of stoppages
The underlying dispute was resolved in 16 of the 29 stoppages that ended in the June 2010 year. Ten of these were resolved through negotiation between the employer and employee or their representatives. Six stoppages were resolved through mediation services provided by the Department of Labour.
Thirteen of the work stoppages that ended in the June 2010 year did not have the underlying dispute resolved.
Ongoing stoppages
Three work stoppages were ongoing as at 30 June 2010.
For technical information please contact:
Becky Chen or Det-det Bañez
Wellington 04 931 4600
Email: info@stats.govt.nz
Next release ...
Work Stoppages: September 2010 quarter will be released on 21 January 2011.