ARE STRIKES RARE?

Unions say strikes rarely happen. 


It's interesting that a lot of unions give exactly the same statistics:


  • "98% of all IAM contracts are settled without a strike."  (International Association of Machinists - goiam.com)

 

  • "In 98 percent of all collective bargaining negotiations, agreements are reached without a strike." (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)

 

  • "Of all contracts negotiated nationwide each year, involving tens of thousands of people, only about 2% are involved in strike work stoppages."  (Utility Workers Union of America)

Are strikes as rare as unions say?

You be the judge; here are just some of the strikes conducted by one union, the International Association of Machinists, over the past three years:

Company Length of Strike Company Length of Strike
Caterpillar 108 days Honeywell 42 days
Boeing 70 days US Tsubaki 456 days
RHI Monofrax 133 days Precision Custom 103 days
Square D 14 days Superior Carriers 29 days
Allsource Global 153 days Hayward Ford 13 days
Belshaw Adamatic 202 days Daimler Trucks 22 days
Calspan Corporation 70 days Learjet/Bombardier 42 days
Bituma 41 days Six Flags Discovery Kingdom 35 days
Tommy Car Auto 269 days Faulk Renew Prager 98 days
Piemonti Chevrolet 166 days

How can you find out about a union's strikes?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics issues two types of reports:


  • The "Work Stoppages program" gives monthly and annual data about work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers. Both strikes and lockouts are included.

 

  • The "Strike Report" gives a monthly summary of all types of strikes.


To get these reports, click here. 




THE BOTTOM LINE:

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No matter what unions say, the FACTS are: 

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  Bringing in a union creates the very real possibility

   of being called out on strike.