Information: USDL 09-0150
(202) 691-6275 WorkStoppagesInfo@bls.gov
Media Contact: FOR RELEASE: 10:00 A.M. EST
(202) 691-5902 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009
Internet Address:
http://www.bls.gov/wsp
MAJOR WORK STOPPAGES IN 2008
Major work stoppages idled 72,000 workers for nearly two million workdays in
2008, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
In 2008, the number of workers idled declined by more than half compared with 2007 when
there were 189,000 workers idled for 1.3 million workdays. In 2008, the largest work
stoppage in total days idle and number of workers was between the Boeing Company and the
International Association of Machinists Districts 24, 70, and 751 with 27,000 workers
accounting for 1,053,000 lost workdays.
In 2008, there were 15 major lockouts and strikes involving 1,000 or more workers
compared with 21 major work stoppages in 2007. (See table 1 and charts A-F) Of the 15 major
work stoppages beginning in 2008, 12 were in private industry and three were in State and
local government. In private industry, seven work stoppages occurred in goods-producing
industries along with five in service-producing industries. All three major work stoppages
in State and local government were in educational services.
The longest work stoppage that began in 2008 was between American Axle & Manufacturing,
Incorporated and the United Auto Workers International Union Locals 235, 262, 424, 846, and
2093, which was 63 days. Another long stoppage, between the Alliance of Motion Picture and
Television Producers and the Writers Guild of America West and East, was in effect in 2008
(having begun in November of 2007 and ending in February 2008) and lasted 68 days. The mean
length of a major work stoppage in 2008 was 14.9 days, up from 10.5 days in 2007. However, the
majority of work stoppages in 2008 were shorter with nine lasting 10 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 2008, only days of idleness in calendar year 2008 are counted.
Table A. Duration of work stoppages beginning in 2008, 2007, and 2006
Duration 2008 2007 2006
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
1-2 days 4 27 6 29 5 25
3-10 days 5 33 6 29 6 30
11-30 days 3 20 7 33 6 30
31-50 days 2 13 2 10 1 5
>50 days 1 7 0 0 2 10
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 2008, 2007, and 2006
Number of workers idled 2008 2007 2006
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
1,000 to 1,999 5 33 8 38 10 50
2,000 to 2,999 4 27 2 10 2 10
3,000 to 4,999 2 13 4 19 3 15
5,000 to 7,499 2 13 3 14 2 10
7,500 to 9,999 1 7 0 0 2 10
10,000 to 19,999 0 0 1 5 1 5
20,000 or more 1 7 3 14 0 0
Table C. Number of work stoppages by number of work days idled in 2008, 2007, and 2006
Number of days of idleness 2008 2007 2006
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
1,000 to 4,999 2 13 2 10 2 10
5,000 to 9,999 3 20 3 14 5 25
10,000 to 14,999 2 13 3 14 2 10
15,000 to 19,999 0 0 3 14 2 10
20,000 to 29,999 1 7 1 5 2 10
30,000 to 49,999 2 13 4 19 2 10
50,000 to 99,999 3 20 1 5 1 5
100,000 to 299,999 1 7 3 14 2 10
300,000 or more 1 7 1 5 2 10
Note: The annual numbers represent the number of work days idled of all work stoppages
initiated during each calendar year.
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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 lockout
and multiplying it by the number of days workers are off the job. The number of working days lost for
every major work stoppage is based on a 5-day workweek (Monday through Friday), excluding Federal
holidays. For more information on work stoppage definitions and methods, please see
http://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/pdf/homch8.pdf.
For detailed monthly and annual work stoppage statistics, please see http://www.bls.gov/wsp.
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