ABS shows drop in strikes under Labor

Despite employer and Coalition claims of rising union militancy under Labor's Fair Work regime, days lost to strikes have dropped sharply.

The latest Bureau of Statistics data show that in the year to June 30, days lost to industrial action were a little more than 200,000 - down nearly 30 per cent. The figure is now at a similar level to 2008, when WorkChoices was still in operation.

The Coalition has vowed to reintroduce the Australian Building and Construction Commission to target building unions.

The latest data show the June quarter had a very low level of industrial action, with only 20,300 days lost, down from 52,100 days in the previous quarter.

Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten said productivity was up, and days lost down, and there was no justification to bring back the building commission.

''Any case, Mr Abbott has tried to put for change to workplace laws has fallen flat on its face with the release of this latest data,'' he said.

''In fact, industrial disputation has consistently been lower under this Labor government, including in the building and construction industry, than under the previous Liberal government.''

Over recent decades, the level of industrial action has dropped dramatically. In 1992, nearly 1 million days were lost and by 2004, it was down to 431,700. Labor made several changes to the Fair Work Act after a review last year.

The Coalition has promised the Productivity Commission would hold an inquiry into industrial relations laws if it wins government. Any major changes would be put to voters at the next election.