2004 Major Work Stoppages (Annual) — 2005-04-08

The number of workers idled because of lockouts and strikes in 2004 rose from the prior year while the number of days of idleness fell. As a result, the percent of estimated working time lost remained roughly the same as in 2003, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. These figures were still low by historical standards. Seventeen major work stoppages began during 2004 and one major work stoppage continued from 2003, idling 170,700 workers and resulting in 3.3 million workdays of idleness. Comparable figures for 2003 were 14 stoppages, 129,200 workers idled, and 4.1 million workdays of idleness. (See Tables 1 & 3 and Charts A-C.) 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 2004 are counted.