A supervisory economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Renee Hersey, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the process for documenting data and 2023's preliminary findings for major work stoppages in America. Hersey also discussed the industries leading the way for stoppages and the number of workers involved.
An economics major in college, she took the opportunity to join the Bureau of Labor Statistics as a field economist in the Cleveland area. Her first job was collecting data and statistics in the field for studies conducted by the BLS. Her new role as a Supervisory Economist of the Survey Information and Publications branch involves maintaining information lines, updating websites and publishing studies. The branch covers work stoppages, job requirements and compensation and benefits information for industries nationwide.
The BLS measures major work stoppages, which include strikes or lockouts with 1,000 or more workers that last one full shift or longer. These stoppages are tracked monthly, along with related information like employers and workers, industry and start and end dates. As of August, the preliminary numbers identified 19 major work stoppages in 2023, three more than all of 2022. When discussing the “Hot Labor Summer,” there were 10 major work stoppages in 2023 during the summer months, compared to only five the previous year.
The industries leading the way in 2023 major work stoppages are Healthcare and Social Assistance, Educational Services and Manufacturing. Since 1992, Manufacturing has had the most stoppages, followed by Educational Services. Meanwhile, Healthcare and Social Assistance rounded out the top three industries.
To learn more about the “Hot Labor Summer,” press play above.