1995 Major Work Stoppages (Annual) — 1996-02-21

In 1995, the number of work stoppages was at the lowest level recorded in the 49-year old series, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Most of the other measures of strike activity also were at relatively low levels in 1995. Thirty-one major stoppages began during 1995, idling 192,000 workers and resulting in about 5.8 million days of idleness (about 2 out of every 10,000 available work days). Comparable figures for 1994 were 45 stoppages, 322,000 workers, and 5.0 million days of idleness. (See table 1.) The series, which dates back to 1947, covers strikes and lockouts involving 1,000 workers or more and lasting at least one shift. Of the 31 major work stoppages beginning in 1995, 23 were in the private sector--including 14 in manufacturing and three in transportation. In the public sector, five disputes were in state government. The remaining three public sector stoppages were called by local government employees.