6321.0.55.001 - Industrial Disputes, Australia, Jun 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 08/09/2005   
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NOTES ON ESTIMATES

ACTU 'NATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION' CAMPAIGN


Industrial Disputes statistics for the June quarter 2005 include the ACTU 'National Week of Action' campaign which took place in the week of 27 June to 1 July. The main form of action was a series of 1-2 hour lunch-time protest rallies in capital cities and major regional centres, on a state by state rotating basis. In addition to the rallies, there were a small number of one day stoppages.


NSW and ACT rallies took place on 1 July and will be reflected in the September quarter 2005 industrial disputes statistics.


ABS data on the number of employees involved and working days lost, in respect of this dispute, are significantly lower than those reported in the media at the time of the dispute. The main reasons are:

  • Employees who took authorised leave, such as time off in lieu, extended lunch breaks or paid leave, to participate in the campaign, are excluded from ABS industrial disputes statistics.
  • Members of the general public, other than employees, who took part in the rallies, are excluded form ABS industrial disputes statistics.
  • ABS data is mainly sourced from employers. Due to the widespread nature of the campaign, it has been difficult to identify all employers whose employees were on unauthorised absence when attending the rallies.

For further information on ABS scope and collection methodology for the Industrial Disputes collection, see the Explanatory Notes.