Number of workers involved in major work stoppages by size of the stoppage, 1993–2019
| Stoppages involving 20,000 or more workers | Stoppages involving less than 20,000 (and at least 1,000) workers | |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 44,800 | 137,100 |
| 1994 | 179,700 | 142,500 |
| 1995 | 102,700 | 87,600 |
| 1996 | 166,000 | 106,700 |
| 1997 | 200,300 | 138,300 |
| 1998 | 316,400 | 70,400 |
| 1999 | 0 | 72,600 |
| 2000 | 267,000 | 126,700 |
| 2001 | 24,900 | 74,200 |
| 2002 | 0 | 45,900 |
| 2003 | 67,300 | 61,900 |
| 2004 | 125,000 | 49,700 |
| 2005 | 35,000 | 63,800 |
| 2006 | 0 | 69,300 |
| 2007 | 133,000 | 56,200 |
| 2008 | 27,000 | 45,200 |
| 2009 | 0 | 12,500 |
| 2010 | 0 | 44,500 |
| 2011 | 74,000 | 38,500 |
| 2012 | 68,700 | 79,400 |
| 2013 | 0 | 54,500 |
| 2014 | 0 | 34,300 |
| 2015 | 0 | 49,500 |
| 2016 | 63,500 | 35,900 |
| 2017 | 0 | 25,300 |
| 2018 | 426,000 | 59,200 |
| 2019 | 359,400 | 66,100 |
Note: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not distinguish between strikes and lockouts in its work stoppage data. However, lockouts (which are initiated by management) are rare relative to strikes, so it is reasonable to think of the major work stoppage data as a proxy for data on major strikes.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Major Work Stoppages in 2019” (news release), February 11, 2020, and related table, “Detailed Monthly Listing, 1993–Present.”