Pay deductions for partial strikes to be reintroduced

A bill that reintroduces the ability to make pay deductions in response to partial strikes is now going through the parliamentary process.

Partial strikes are industrial actions that normally involve turning up to work but are a reduction in the normal output or rate of work or breach of the employee’s employment agreement.

Currently if an employee is engaged in a partial strike, their employer cannot deduct their pay unless they suspend the employee or issue a lockout notice. 

This change restores employers’ ability to make pay deductions for partial strikes, which could help incentivise both parties to return to the bargaining table and reach agreement sooner, while also minimising community impacts.

Read the Minister’s announcement:

Pay deductions for partial strikes to be reintroduced(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Find out more in our employment legislation reviews section:

Employment Relations Act 2000 amendments