Information: USDL 08-0202
(202) 691-6275 WorkStoppagesInfo@bls.gov
Media Contact: FOR RELEASE: 10:00 A.M. EST
(202) 691-5902 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008
Internet Address:
http://www.bls.gov/wsp
MAJOR WORK STOPPAGES IN 2007
Major work stoppages idled 189,000 workers for 1.3 million workdays in 2007, the
U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. In 2007, the largest
major work stoppage in total days idle was between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television
Producers and the Writers Guild of America East and West, with 10,500 workers accounting for
409,500 lost workdays. The largest work stoppage in number of workers was between General
Motors Corporation and the United Auto Workers, with 74,000 General Motors workers involved in
the two day work stoppage.
There were 21 lockouts and strikes involving 1,000 or more workers in 2007. For 2006, there
were 20 stoppages involving 70,000 workers with 2.7 million workdays of idleness. (See table 1
and charts A-F.) Of the 21 major work stoppages beginning in 2007, 12 were in private industry
and nine were in State and local governments. In private industry, eight work stoppages occurred
in goods-producing industries along with four in service-providing industries. Of the nine work
stoppages in State and local governments, five were in transportation and warehousing and four
were in educational services. In 2007, State and local government work stoppages accounted
for just over one-third of total workers idled, but only 15 percent of lost workdays.
The mean length of a work stoppage in 2007 was 10.5 days, down from 26.5 days in 2006.
Numerous work stoppages in 2007 were short in duration with six work stoppages lasting 2 days or
less. (See table A.)
The major work stoppages series, which dates back to 1947, covers strikes and lockouts
involving 1,000 or more employees and lasting at least one full shift. For work stoppages that
began prior to 2007, only days of idleness in calendar year 2007 are counted.
Table A. Duration of work stoppages beginning in 2007, 2006, and 2005
Duration 2007 2006 2005
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
1-2 days 6 29 5 25 4 18
3-10 days 6 29 6 30 8 36
11-30 days 7 33 6 30 6 27
31-50 days 2 10 1 5 1 5
>50 days 0 0 2 10 3 14
Note: Percent totals may not add to 100 because of rounding. The annual numbers represent
the total duration of all work stoppages initiated during each calendar year.
Table B. Number of work stoppages by the number of workers idled in 2007, 2006, and 2005
Number of workers idled 2007 2006 2005
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
1,000 to 1,999 8 38 10 50 11 50
2,000 to 2,999 2 10 2 10 5 23
3,000 to 4,999 4 19 3 15 2 9
5,000 to 7,499 3 14 2 10 2 9
7,500 to 9,999 0 0 2 10 0 0
10,000 to 19,999 1 5 1 5 1 5
20,000 or more 3 14 0 0 1 5
Note: Percent totals may not add to 100 because of rounding.
Table C. Number of work stoppages by number of work days idled in 2007, 2006, and 2005
Number of days of idleness 2007 2006 2005
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
1,000 to 4,999 2 10 2 10 3 14
5,000 to 9,999 3 14 5 25 4 18
10,000 to 14,999 3 14 2 10 1 5
15,000 to 19,999 3 14 2 10 4 18
20,000 to 29,999 1 5 2 10 2 9
30,000 to 49,999 4 19 2 10 2 9
50,000 to 99,999 1 5 1 5 2 9
100,000 to 299,999 3 14 2 10 2 9
300,000 or more 1 5 2 10 2 9
Note: Percent totals may not add to 100 because of rounding. The annual numbers represent
the number of work days idled of all work stoppages initiated during each calendar year.
The term "major work stoppage" includes both worker-initiated strikes and employer-initiated
lockouts that involve 1,000 workers or more. BLS does not distinguish between lockouts and strikes
in its statistics.
Information on work stoppages is obtained from reports from the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service, State labor market information offices, BLS Strike Reports from the Office
of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, and from media sources such as the Daily Labor Report
and the Wall Street Journal. One or both parties involved in the work stoppage (employer or union)
is contacted to verify the duration and number of workers idled by the stoppage.
Days of idleness is calculated by taking the number of workers involved in the strike or
lock-out and multiplying it by the number of days workers are off the job.
For detailed monthly and annual work stoppage statistics, please visit http://www.bls.gov/wsp.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
