Labour laws blamed for growing number of strikes

The Government's "union-centric" industrial relations laws are to blame for the highest number of strikes in a year since 1997, the National Party says.

Statistics New Zealand yesterday said there were 59 work stoppages in the year ended June 30 - the highest number for a June year since 1997 when there were 69.

The past year's strikes cost an estimated $5.2 million in lost wages and salaries.

The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) said work stoppages remained historically low, with the vast majority of employment agreements settled without industrial action.

But National's industrial relations spokesman Wayne Mapp today said there had been an "upswing" in stoppages over the past two years.

Part of that was due to law changes in 2004 that placed an even greater onus on employers to enter into collective agreement negotiations with unions.

The changes also placed greater limitations on what other workers could be used in the event of a strike -- making a strike a more effective weapon against an employer.

Mr Mapp said this made a mockery of the Government's stated goal of boosting workplace productivity.

"Labour has reduced the freedom of non-union workers and employers, making it much more difficult to do business and access essential services," he said.

"But neither Labour nor the union leaders have any concern for the impact of such industrial action on families and the economy."

Work stoppages have been on a general downward trend since peaking at annual levels of over 400 in the 1970s.

Yesterday CTU president Ross Wilson said most of the strikes in the past year were due to "unjustified employer resistance" to worker claims.

"There are over 2500 collective employment agreements in force, and the majority of employers have recognised the need to offer higher wages to attract and retain workers."

Work stoppages ending in the June year consisted of 54 strikes, three partial strikes, and two lockouts, involving 16,123 employees.

Thirty-five had the underlying disputes resolved, 13 of them through mediation services provided by the Department of Labour, and 24 ended unresolved.

Estimated loss of wages and salary per person was $322.

- NZPA