Work stoppages in 2010

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.

[Chart data]

The 11 major work stoppages in 2010 idled 45,000 workers for 302,000 lost workdays, a large increase compared with 2009 record lows, with 5 stoppages idling 13,000 workers for 124,000 workdays.

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

[Chart data]

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 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.

These data are from the BLS Work Stoppages Program. To learn more, see "Major Work Stoppages in 2010" (HTML) (PDF), news release USDL-11-0153. The major work stoppages series covers strikes and lockouts involving 1,000 or more employees and lasting at least one shift.