Work Stoppages in 2010

Where do recruiters’ loyalties lie?  When there are strikes and lockouts, do they feel compassion for the workers, the bosses, neither, or both?

You can decide for yourself as you react to the newest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

They have announced that in 2010, there were 11 major strikes and lockouts involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting at least one shift, the second lowest annual total since the major work stoppages series began in 1947.

The longest work stoppage beginning in 2010 was between Temple University Hospital and the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals, lasting 21 workdays with 1,500 workers accounting for 31,500 lost workdays.  The largest work stoppage in 2010 in terms of number of workers and total workdays idle was the Chicago area construction strike between Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association and the Laborers International Union of North America District Council of Chicago, International Union of Operating Engineers, and Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, with 15,000 workers accounting for 180,000 lost workdays.

Although work stoppages seem to be much less pressing issues in recent years compared to previous decades, the figures suggest that dissatisfied workers still exercise their power to shut down their places of work.  Are there any work stoppages in your area?  What do they suggest to you?