Days lost to industrial disputes still too high but trending in right direction

The latest data on days lost to industrial disputes in the construction industry justifies the Parliament’s decision to re-establish the ABCC.

“The latest data from the ABS shows that building union strikes cost the industry 10,200 days in the March quarter, which was 40% of the National total and the highest of any sector in the economy,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

“This figure is almost twice as high as the next largest figure (manufacturing 6300 days lost) and five times higher than the mining industry which has a history of experiencing high levels of strike action,” she said.

“While still higher than when the ABCC was previously in operation, the figures are moving the right way. When there was no ABCC, days lost to strikes per quarter averaged 19,000,” Denita Wawn said.

“It’s early days but the ABCC is beginning to make a difference,” she said.

“This data makes crystal clear that the Government and the Senate crossbench were right to bring back the ABCC and that its future must be guaranteed,” Denita Wawn said.

“Complying with the law benefits the whole community, despite views recently expressed to the contrary by some union leaders,” Denita Wawn said.