Unions, Labor, and Work Stoppages
As the EPI article says decades of federal policy and court decisions have placed limit on Labor’s to strike as allowed under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Evolving over the years, millions of workers have been excluded from the NLRA right to strike. As you can see on the graph below the numbers of strikes have decreased. The number of people striking did increase after the pandemic. However, the numbers are down. Just some history and wondering whether the need to strike has lessened?
Major work stoppages in 2024, EPI
The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines “major work stoppages” as those involving at least 1,000 workers and lasting one full work shift between Monday–Friday, excluding federal holidays. BLS data show that 271,500 workers were involved in 31 major work stoppages that began in 2024. This is a decrease from 2023, when 458,900 workers participated in 33 major stoppages. However, strike activity in 2024 is still significantly higher compared with average strike activity across the 21st century. Since 2000, there has been an average of only 148,700 workers involved in 18.6 major work stoppages per year. Despite a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of workers involved in major work stoppages in 2023 and 2024 has rebounded close to the high pre-pandemic levels, as shown in Figure A.
Notes: 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. Data are for public- and private-sector workers.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Work Stoppages Summary” (news release), February 20, 2025, and related table, “Annual Work Stoppages Involving 1,000 or More Workers, 1947–Present.”
Most major work stoppages in 2024 took place in the private sector—roughly 68% (21 of them). Nine major work stoppages took place in state government and one in local government. Among strikes in the private sector, five were in the health care sector, three in accommodation and food, and three in retail. Seven of the nine major work stoppages in state government were in the education industry, involving public colleges and universities.
Major work stoppages took place in 18 states all over the U.S in 2024. The five states with the most stoppages were California (10), Oregon (5), Washington (5), Illinois (3), and New York (3).
Examples of major work stoppages in 2024
The work stoppages data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics include a breakdown of the organizations at which major work stoppages occurred. The data, combined with an EPI review of publicly available sources, suggest a range of strike activity in 2024. Recurring themes of major stoppages in 2024 include improving pay, expanding benefits, and addressing workplace safety issues. The following are examples of major work stoppages covered by the BLS data.
Boston University graduate worker strike
Approximately 3,000 workers at Boston University went on strike in March 2024. Workers were represented by the Boston University Graduate Workers Union (BUGWU)and includes all graduate students engaged in paid research, instructional, and teaching work at the university. The workers voted to go on strike to improve pay, expand childcare benefits, and strengthen vision and dental insurance.
Dockworker strike
The U.S. port strike was one of the largest strikes in 2024. On October 1, 2024, more than 47,000 dock workers in 36 ports across the country went on strike. The workers, represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), authorized a strike after the union and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) failed to reach agreement after several months of negotiations. The ILA was seeking pay raises accounting for inflation in line with increasing shipping profits (in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic) and stronger language to protect workers from the impact of automation. The two-day strike concluded after the ILA and USMX reached a tentative agreement that included a 62% pay increase for workers over the length of a six-year contract.
AT&T worker strike
AT&T worker strike spanned the Southeast was another historic major work stoppage. In August 2024, ~17,000 AT&T workers went on strike in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), includes technicians, customer service representatives, and others. The CWA members voted to strike after filing unfair labor practice charges against AT&T for failing to bargain in good faith.
Boeing worker strike
September 13, 2024, 33,000 Boeing workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) went on strike in Washington, Oregon, and California. This being the first strike at Boeing since 2008. Since then, Boeing workers experienced wage stagnation and significant loss of benefits. For example, Boeing froze workers’ traditional pension plan in 2014. Boeing workers (96%) voted in favor of approving a strike after rejecting an offer of a 25% wage increases over four years.
North Shore educator strikes
November 2024: ~2,000 public school teachers in Beverly, Gloucester and Marblehead, Massachusetts, went on strike. The strike started after the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the school districts failed to reach agreement over competitive pay for teachers and paraprofessionals, paid parental leave benefits, and concerns about school safety and class size. The two+week strike ended after the unions and school districts reached an agreement . . . included pay increases for teachers and paraprofessionals, expansion of paid leave benefits, and improvements in classroom safety.