2005 Major Work Stoppages (Annual) — 2006-03-02

Major lockouts and strikes idled 99,600 workers with 1.7 million workdays of idleness in 2005, the U.S. Department of Labor�s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Both measures declined from the prior year despite an increase in the number of work stoppage events. The total number of lockouts and strikes increased to 22 in 2005. Comparable figures for 2004 were 17 stoppages, 170,700 workers idled and 3.3 million workdays of idleness. (See Tables 1 & 3 and Charts A-C and G-H). The major work stoppages series, which dates back to 1947, covers strikes and lockouts involving 1,000 or more employees and lasting at least one shift. For work stoppages that span two different calendar years, only those days of idleness in calendar year 2005 are counted. Of the 22 major work stoppages beginning in 2005, 17 were in private industry and 5 were in State and local governments.