1994 Major Work Stoppages (Annual) — 1995-01-27

All measures of work stoppage activity were up in 1994, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Most of these measures had been at record lows in 1993. Forty-five major stoppages began during 1994, idling 322,000 workers, and resulting in about 5.0 million days of idleness (about 2 out of every 10,000 available work days). Comparable figures for 1993 were 35 stoppages, 182,000 workers, and 4.0 million days of idleness. The increase in work stoppage activity followed general declines posted in the past several years. (See table 1 and charts 1-3.) 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 45 major work stoppages beginning in 1994, 37 were in the private sector--including 26 in manufacturing and 5 in transportation. In the public sector, one dispute--in Hawaii--involved both state and local government employees.