Labor Strikes Up 52% – Fisher Phillips Seminar Can Help You Prepare

The final numbers are in, and they’re somewhat shocking. According to new data just released from labor experts, last year saw a 52% increase in the number of work stoppages from the previous year, continuing a worrying trend that is impacting just about every corner of the labor market. And 2023 is not shaping up any differently given the shaky economic terrain and an unabashedly pro-labor White House clearing the path for unions, meaning we can expect continued increases in labor actions, strikes, major work stoppages, and union representation petitions. In response, Fisher Phillips is hosting a full-day in-person program on April 5 for employers – both unionized and non-unionized – on how to prepare for a new era of strikes, pickets, and boycotts. Read on for more information about the updated data release and about this must-attend event.

Numbers Are In

Earlier this year, we published an alert summarizing the state of strike activity and union organizing in 2022. At the time, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) had only published preliminary data with respect to major work stoppages from last year. The government has since released its official 2022 major work stoppage data, revealing there were 23 “major work stoppages” last year involving 120,600 workers and 1,978,100 idle workdays (defined as those involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting at least one shift during the M-F work week). 

Additionally, Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) — which collects data on work stoppages on a wider scale than the BLS — also recently published its final 2022 findings. Per the ILR, there were 424 work stoppages in 2022 (417 strikes and seven lockouts), involving 224,000 workers and 4,447,588 idle days. That represents a 52% increase from 2021.

Seminar Will Help You Prepare

Because of this increase activity, we have developed a full-day, in-person labor seminar to help employers maximize their strike readiness and prepare for – and succeed – in the face of strikes, pickets, and boycotts. Join Fisher Phillips Labor Relations Co-Chair, Todd A. Lyon, and Alex G. Desrosiers for this exciting and interactive program at the City Club Los Angeles on April 5. Whether you’re a non-union company or a company with a longstanding labor relationship, Operations Managers, Human Resources Leaders, and Labor Relations Managers will learn “where the legal lines are” with respect to the latest strike tactics utilized by organized labor – with one eye on where the law stands today – and another on where it may be going. 

Conclusion

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. Make sure you are subscribed to Fisher Phillips’ Insight system to get the most up-to-date information. Any questions may be directed to your Fisher Phillips attorney, the authors of this Insight, or any attorney in our Labor Relations Practice Group.