Work Stoppages Summary
For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Friday, February 8, 2013 USDL-13-0193
Technical information:
(202) 691-6275 Workstoppagesinfo@bls.gov http://www.bls.gov/wsp
Media contact:
(202) 691-5902 PressOffice@bls.gov
MAJOR WORK STOPPAGES IN 2012
In 2012, there were 19 major strikes and lockouts involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting at least
one shift, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The 19 major work stoppages beginning
in 2012 equaled the total from 2011. Major work stoppages beginning in 2012 idled 148,000 workers,
higher than 2011 with 113,000 idled workers. In 2012, there were 1.13 million days idle from major
work stoppages in effect, also higher than 2011 with 1.02 million days idle. (See charts 1 and 2, and
table 1.) Over 40 percent (8 of 19) of major work stoppages beginning in 2012 occurred in November
and December. (See table 2.)
The largest work stoppage beginning in 2012 in terms of number of workers and total days idle was
between the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union, with 26,500 workers accounting
for 185,500 days idle. The longest work stoppage beginning in 2012 was between Lockheed Martin
Corporation and the International Association of Machinists, Local 776, with 3,600 workers
accounting for 172,800 days idle. (See table 2.) The Lockheed Martin Corporation work stoppage
lasted 48 workdays.
The major work stoppage between the American Crystal Sugar Company and the Bakery, Confectionary,
Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers, Sugar Council resulted in a total of 308,100 days
idle in 2012, and nearly 445,000 cumulative days idle since beginning on August 1, 2011. The number
of workers involved in the work stoppage fell below 1,000 workers in December 2012 and will no
longer be counted in major work stoppage estimates.
Last Modified Date: February 08, 2013
