Are strikes rare?
Unions say strikes rarely happen.
It's interesting that a lot of unions give exactly the same statistics:
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"98% of all IAM contracts are settled without a strike." (International Association of Machinists - goiam.com)
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"In 98 percent of all collective bargaining negotiations, agreements are reached without a strike." (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)
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"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:
THE BOTTOM LINE:
No matter what unions say, the FACTS are:
Bringing in a union creates the very real possibility
of being called out on strike.
How can you find out about a union's strikes?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics issues two types of reports:
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The "Work Stoppages program" gives monthly and annual data about work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers. Both strikes and lockouts are included.
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The "Strike Report" gives a monthly summary of all types of strikes.
To get these reports, click here.