2017 Major Work Stoppages (Annual) — 2018-02-09

In 2017, there were 7 major work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting at least one shift, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Since the series began in 1947 this is the second lowest number of major work stoppages recorded in a year, the lowest annual total was 5 in 2009. (See table 1.) Major work stoppages beginning in 2017 idled 25,000 workers, the second lowest number of workers idled annually since 1947. The lowest number of workers idled was 13,000 in 2009. In 2017 the information industry sector had the most workers idled by a major work stoppage with 15,000 workers, which accounted for over half of all workers idled. Public administration accounted for the second largest number of workers idled by major work stoppages with over 5,000 workers, or a fifth of all workers idled.