The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that over the past four decades (1977-1986 to 2007-2016) major work stoppages declined approximately 90 percent, with the period from 2007 to 2016 being the lowest decade on record, averaging approximately 14 major work stoppages per year.

 

The 2016 data shows that 15 major work stoppages occurred, involving 99,000 workers.  More than 94 percent of the 1.54 million total days idle for major work stoppages in effect during 2016 occurred at private industry employers.  The industries with the largest number of workers involved include the information industry (38,200 workers), educational services (33,600 workers), and health care and social assistance (12,100 workers).  These industries account for over 84 percent of workers idled for major work stoppages.

 

The largest major work stoppage in terms of number of workers (36,500) and days idle (1,204,500 total days idle) was between Verizon Communications and the Communication Workers of America union.  The second largest work stoppage in days idle was between Allina Health and the Minnesota Nurses Association/National Nurses United union.  It involved 4,800 workers with 153,600 days idle from two different work stoppages last year. The City of Chicago Public Schools had a one-day stoppage with the second highest number of workers (27,000).