For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, February 11, 2020	                                    USDL-20-0244

Technical information:	(202) 691-6199     workstoppagesinfo@bls.gov     www.bls.gov/wsp
Media contact:	        (202) 691-5902     pressoffice@bls.gov


                                   MAJOR WORK STOPPAGES IN 2019


In 2019, there were 25 major work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting at least one
shift, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Between 2010 and 2019 there were a total of
154 work stoppages, averaging 15 stoppages a year. 

There were 425,500 workers involved in major work stoppages that began in 2019, with the majority of
idled workers (270,000) in the educational services industry (13 work stoppages). The average number
of workers involved in work stoppages between 2010 and 2019 was 147,660, and 2018 had the largest
number of workers involved (485,200). 

In 2019 the largest stoppage by lost workdays was the dispute between General Motors (GM) and United
Auto Workers (UAW) involving 46,000 workers. The work stoppage began on September 16, 2019 and spanned 
for 29 working days resulting in a cumulative loss of 1,334,000 work days. Since 1993, there have been
a total of 22 work stoppages involving GM, and the one beginning in 2019 was the fifth largest in terms 
of number of workers involved, and second largest in terms of cumulative lost workdays. The largest GM
stoppage occurred in 1998 and involved 152,200 workers and over 3 million work days lost.

Decade (2010 - 2019) highlights

Industry
• There were 93 work stoppages in private industry, 37 in local government, and 24 in state government.
• The health care and social assistance industry group accounted for 45 stoppages, educational services
  accounted for 38, and manufacturing accounted for 15. 
  
Duration
• The longest ongoing stoppage is a dispute between Charter Communications and the International
  Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 that started in March 2017 and presently involves 1,800
  workers idled for 695 work days.
• The longest completed stoppage was a dispute between American Crystal Sugar Company and The Bakery,
  Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union that started in August 2011 and
  lasted for 342 work days.

Number of workers involved
• The two largest work stoppages were the dispute between North Carolina State Legislature and North
  Carolina Association of Educators idling 123,000 workers in 2018 and 92,700 in 2019.
• The third largest stoppage involved the Arizona State Legislature and Arizona Education Association
  idling 81,000 workers between April 26 and May 3, 2018.