The Govt has introduced a law change that will allow bosses to withhold workers' regular breaks, and instead pay for the time or trade the breaks.

The number of work stoppages so far this year is well down on a year earlier.

Sacked NIWA scientist Jim Salinger says a call made to Jim Hickey was not in a professional capacity, as NIWA alleges, a therapist tells the ERA.

RNZ host Sean Plunket tells ERA he was "distressed" at being told to find another job if he didn't like being prevented from writing for Metro.

Bus drivers are probably underpaid but the time is not right to bring them into line with workers in similar occupations, ERA says.

It's been a tough week for Auckland's public transport and commuters. Both sides talk to the Herald about the impact of the dispute.

Some NZ Bus drivers who were off work for a week during the lock out turned to WINZ for assistance.