For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, February 11, 2020 USDL-20-0244 Technical information: (202) 691-6199 workstoppagesinfo@bls.gov www.bls.gov/wsp Media contact: (202) 691-5902 pressoffice@bls.gov MAJOR WORK STOPPAGES IN 2019 In 2019, there were 25 major work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting at least one shift, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Between 2010 and 2019 there were a total of 154 work stoppages, averaging 15 stoppages a year. There were 425,500 workers involved in major work stoppages that began in 2019, with the majority of idled workers (270,000) in the educational services industry (13 work stoppages). The average number of workers involved in work stoppages between 2010 and 2019 was 147,660, and 2018 had the largest number of workers involved (485,200). In 2019 the largest stoppage by lost workdays was the dispute between General Motors (GM) and United Auto Workers (UAW) involving 46,000 workers. The work stoppage began on September 16, 2019 and spanned for 29 working days resulting in a cumulative loss of 1,334,000 work days. Since 1993, there have been a total of 22 work stoppages involving GM, and the one beginning in 2019 was the fifth largest in terms of number of workers involved, and second largest in terms of cumulative lost workdays. The largest GM stoppage occurred in 1998 and involved 152,200 workers and over 3 million work days lost. Decade (2010 - 2019) highlights Industry • There were 93 work stoppages in private industry, 37 in local government, and 24 in state government. • The health care and social assistance industry group accounted for 45 stoppages, educational services accounted for 38, and manufacturing accounted for 15. Duration • The longest ongoing stoppage is a dispute between Charter Communications and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 that started in March 2017 and presently involves 1,800 workers idled for 695 work days. • The longest completed stoppage was a dispute between American Crystal Sugar Company and The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union that started in August 2011 and lasted for 342 work days. Number of workers involved • The two largest work stoppages were the dispute between North Carolina State Legislature and North Carolina Association of Educators idling 123,000 workers in 2018 and 92,700 in 2019. • The third largest stoppage involved the Arizona State Legislature and Arizona Education Association idling 81,000 workers between April 26 and May 3, 2018.