Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Employment Relations Act 2000

Strikes and lockouts

80: Object of this Part

You could also call this:

"What's allowed in strikes and lockouts, and how to resolve disputes fairly"

The object of this part of the law is to recognise that even if a union and an employer must deal with each other in good faith, some strikes and lockouts can still be lawful. You need to understand what makes a strike or lockout lawful or unlawful, and this part of the law defines that. This part also sets out notice requirements for all strikes and lockouts, and provides for pay deductions in certain situations, including how those deductions are calculated.

This part of the law aims to ensure that if a strike or lockout is threatened in an essential service, there is a chance for a mediated solution to the problem. You can find more information about the amendments to this part of the law, such as the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2014 and the Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Act 2025, by following the links.

The law sets out rules for strikes and lockouts, including providing notice and making pay deductions, to help resolve disputes in a fair way.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM59964.

Topics:
Work and jobs > Worker rightsGovernment and voting > Government departments
Previous

79: Eligible employee taking employment relations education leave entitled to ordinary pay, or

"You get your normal pay when you take time off work to learn about employment rights."

Next

81: Meaning of strike, or

"What a strike means: when a group of employees stop or reduce work together"

Part 8Strikes and lockouts

80Object of this Part

  1. The object of this Part is—

  2. to recognise that the requirement that a union and an employer must deal with each other in good faith does not preclude certain strikes and lockouts being lawful (as defined in this Part); and
    1. to define lawful and unlawful strikes and lockouts; and
      1. to provide notice requirements for all strikes and lockouts; and
        1. to provide for specified pay deductions, including how the amount of such deductions must be calculated; and
            1. to ensure that where a strike or lockout is threatened in an essential service, there is an opportunity for a mediated solution to the problem.

              Notes
              • Section 80(ba): inserted, on , by section 53 of the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2014 (2014 No 61).
              • Section 80(bb): inserted, on , by section 4 of the Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 35).
              • Section 80(bb): repealed, on , by section 27 of the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 53).