Work Stoppages Summary

FOR RELEASE 10:00 A.M. (EST) TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2023                                    USDL-11-0153

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                                   MAJOR WORK STOPPAGES IN 2023

     In 2010, there were 11 major strikes and lockouts involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting
at least one shift, the second lowest annual total since the major work stoppages series began in
1947, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.  The series low for major work stoppages
beginning in a calendar year was 5 in 2009.  The 11 major work stoppages in 2010 idled 45,000
workers for 302,000 lost workdays, a large increase compared to 2009 record lows, with 5 stoppages
idling 13,000 workers for 124,000 lost workdays.//WKSTP QCT TEST ZUNI3 08282024//

     Average annual major work stoppages have continued to decline by decade.  From 2001-2010,
there were approximately 17 major work stoppages on average per year, compared with 34 per year
from 1991-2000, 69 from 1981-1990, and 269 from 1971-1980.  (See chart 1.)  Total days idle from
major work stoppages from 2001-2010 have also declined over 90 percent from 1971-1980.  (See
chart 2.)

     The longest work stoppage beginning in 2010 was between Temple University Hospital and the
Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals, lasting 21 workdays with 1,500
workers accounting for 31,500 lost workdays.  The largest work stoppage in 2010 in terms of number
of workers and total workdays idle was the Chicago area construction strike between the Mid-America
Regional Bargaining Association and the Laborers International Union of North America District
Council of Chicago, International Union of Operating Engineers, and Chicago Regional Council of
Carpenters, with 15,000 workers accounting for 180,000 lost workdays.  (See table 2.)