More work stoppages in state and local government than private industry in 2025

There were 30 major work stoppages that began in 2025, and 32 in effect that year. Among work stoppages that began in 2025, 17 were in state and local government and 13 were in private industry. 

For the sixth time since 1993, there were more work stoppages in state and local government compared with private industry. From 1993 to 2025, a total of 723 work stoppages began, and of those stoppages, 522, or 72.2 percent, were in the private industry.

These data are from the Work Stoppages program. Major work stoppages include both worker-initiated strikes and employer-initiated lockouts that involve 1,000 or more workers and last at least one shift during the work week, Monday through Friday excluding federal holidays. To learn more, see "Major Work Stoppages in 2025". We also have historical work stoppages analysis factsheets with more information.