2023 is a big year for organised labour action.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans have walked off their jobs at a rate not seen in decades, with new data claiming over 18 million days have been lost to strikes so far this year.

Back on New Zealand shores, 850,000 workdays have been lost to strikes between January and May, according to MBIE reports.

Milford Asset Management's Deborah Lambie says unionised workers receive pay reviews less frequently, and low unemployment gives these workers extra leverage in negotiations.

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