ABSTRACT
In 2018, there were 20 major work stoppages involving 485,000 workers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The number of major work stoppages beginning in 2018 was the highest since 2007 (21 major work stoppages). The number of workers involved was the highest since 1986 (533,000 workers).

Educational services and health care and social assistance industry groups accounted for over 90 percent of all workers idled in 2018. (See chart 1.) Between 2009 and 2018 the educational services and health care and social assistance industries accounted for nearly one half of all major work stoppages.