For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Friday, February 8, 2019 USDL-19-0189

Technical information: (202) 691-6199 • workstoppagesinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/wsp

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • pressoffice@bls.gov

MAJOR WORK STOPPAGES IN 2018

In 2018, there were 20 major work stoppages involving 485,000 workers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor 

Statistics reported today. The number of major work stoppages beginning in 2018 was the highest since 

2007 (21 major work stoppages). The number of workers involved was the highest since 1986 (533,000

workers). (See chart 1 and www.bls.gov/web/wkstp.supp.toc.htm.)

Educational services and health care and social assistance industry groups accounted for over 90 percent 

of all workers idled in 2018. (See chart 1.) Between 2009 and 2018 the educational services and health 

care and social assistance industries accounted for nearly one half of all major work stoppages. (See 

charts 1 and 2 and www.bls.gov/web/wkstp.supp.toc.htm.) 

In 2018, the largest work stoppage by days idle was between the Arizona State Legislature and Arizona 

Education Association and involved 81,000 teachers and staff totaling 486,000 days of idleness. The 

second largest stoppage in 2018 involved the Oklahoma State Legislature and the Oklahoma Education 

Association accounting for 405,000 days idle. Statewide major work stoppages in educational services 

also occurred in West Virginia, Kentucky, Colorado, and North Carolina. (See 

www.bls.gov/web/wkstp.supp.toc.htm.)

The longest major work stoppage beginning in 2018 involved National Grid and the United Steelworkers 

Locals 12003 and 12012 accounting for 156,000 days idle in the current year. The National Grid work 

stoppage began on June 25, 2018 and was ongoing thru 2018. Other notable major work stoppages 

beginning in 2018 involved the Marriott Corporation and the University of California Medical Centers. 

Chart 2. Number of major work stoppages, by 

major industry group, 2009-18

Chart 1. Number of workers in major work 

stoppages, in thousands, by major industry, 2018
- 2 -

Chart 3. Annual number of major work stoppages, 1981-2018

Since 1981, there has been a significant reduction in the number of annual major work stoppages. 

Differences between major work stoppages “beginning” and “in effect” result from disputes that are 

continuing from the prior year. The largest difference occurred in 1985 with 54 major work stoppages

“beginning” in the year and 61 “in effect.” The series low for major work stoppages was 5 in 2009. (See 

chart 3 and www.bls.gov/web/wkstp.supp.toc.htm.)

 TECHNICAL NOTE

The work stoppages program captures major (1,000 workers or more) work stoppages in the United 

States from various sources. Work stoppages are strikes or lockouts and no differentiation is made 

between the two classifications. The number of workers includes all workers made idle for one shift or 

longer in establishments directly involved in a stoppage. The number of workers includes those who are 

directly involved in the work stoppage as well as those in the establishment idled for related reasons, 

such as their facility is closed down during the stoppage. One or both parties involved in the work 

stoppage (employer, employer group or union) is contacted to verify the duration and number of workers 

idled by the stoppage. 

Annual major work stoppages data from 1947 to present, including the number of work stoppages, 

workers, and total days of idleness are available at www.bls.gov/web/wkstp.supp.toc.htm.

Monthly time series data since 1981 are available at www.bls.gov/wsp/#data. 

Detailed work stoppage data since 1993 are available at www.bls.gov/web/wkstp.supp.toc.htm and 

includes organization(s) involved, location, beginning and ending dates, the number of workers, and total 

days of idleness. 

Historical Bureau of Labor Statistics work stoppages publications are available from 1936 to 1979 at 

www.bls.gov/wsp/wspfaq.htm#Question_10.

For additional information on the work stoppages program, including concepts, data sources, design, 

measures, and history, see www.bls.gov/opub/hom/wsp/home.htm.