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Who’s On Strike in the U.S.?
There were 335 labor actions in 2024.
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Updated · 7 min read
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Anna Helhoski Senior Writer | Economic news and policy, Consumer trends
Anna Helhoski is a senior writer covering economic news and trends in consumer finance at NerdWallet. She cohosts and produces Money News segments of NerdWallet's Smart Money podcast. She is also an authority on student loans. She joined NerdWallet in 2014. Her work has been syndicated in news outlets nationwide including The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. She previously covered local news in the New York metro area for the Daily Voice and New York state politics for The Legislative Gazette. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Purchase College, State University of New York.
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Rick VanderKnyff leads the news team at NerdWallet. Previously, he has worked as a channel manager at MSN.com, as a web manager at University of California San Diego, and as a copy editor and staff writer at the Los Angeles Times. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and a Master of Arts in anthropology.
Dockworker strike averted. A potential strike at East and Gulf Coast ports has been averted. On Jan. 8, The International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance reached a tentative new six-year contract. The agreement, which must still be approved by members, includes wage increases, as well as protections against the use of automated technology, which the unions were concerned would replace jobs.
The ports handle nearly half of all U.S. import and export cargo. The strike threatened to significantly stymie trade flows and, if it went on long enough, could have eventually resulted in shortages and higher prices across the U.S.
Public hospital doctors in New York City. On Jan. 9, more than 1,000 physicians at public hospitals in New York City agreed to postpone a strike, which was expected to begin as soon as Jan. 13. The doctors, represented by the Doctors Council — Service Employees International Union (SEIU), are bargaining with NYC Health + Hospitals for increased pay and an end to understaffing. The union says the physician’s work stoppage would be the biggest in the city’s history. The strikes could begin at four hospitals in the city including Jacobi Medical center, North Central Bronx, Queens Hospital Center and South Brooklyn Health.
Ski patrollers in Colorado. On Jan. 9, ski patrollers represented by the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association ended a strike with Vail Resorts. The strike at Vail Resorts in both Park City and Vail Mountain began on Dec. 27. The workers’ new contract includes a $2 hourly wage increase and raises for senior ski patrollers.
Oregon Providence health care workers. On Dec. 30, the Oregon Nurses Association announced it would be striking as of Jan. 10. Some 5,000 nurses working at all eight of Providence hospitals and clinics are expected to walk off the job. The union is bargaining a new contract that includes a measure that would pause hospital admissions temporarily when there are too many patients for health care workers to keep up with.
University of Michigan health care workers. Some 2,000 University of Michigan Health-Sparrow nurses and health care workers announced they would go on strike for five days beginning Jan. 20 if no new contract agreement is reached. The workers’ most recent contracts expired on Oct. 30. The Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association has been bargaining with the hospital system.
Kaiser Permanente mental health workers: More than 2,300 behavioral health professionals in Southern California have been on strike since Oct. 21. Striking members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers are seeking wage increases and a restoration of pensions, and are calling attention to deficiencies in Kaiser’s mental health care because of staffing shortages and related issues.
So far in 2025, there has been one official labor action, according to the tracker. As of Dec. 31, there were 335 labor actions in 519 locations in 2024, according to the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) Labor Action Tracker
Going on strike means workers withhold labor from their employer in order to gain leverage to bargain for things like higher compensation and benefits, more protections, as well as improved working conditions. Workers don’t have to be part of a union to strike, but unions often organize and authorize strikes, as well as represent workers in negotiations.
More strikes are expected in the days to come. Here are some of the recent major strikes in the U.S.
Hotel workers in San Francisco
On Dec. 24, a 93-day strike by workers at multiple Hilton hotel locations in San Francisco ended with a new contract. The workers, represented by Unite Here Local 2 union, approved a new four-year contract that included wage increases over time; new protections against understaffing and workload increases; as well as affordable health care.
Amazon workers
Amazon workers across the world went on strike or protested Amazon beginning on Black Friday through Cyber Monday — one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. The protest was organized by Swiss-based UNI Global Union, the grassroots political organization Progressive International and a coalition of other workers rights groups. It’s the fourth year that workers have gone on strike as part of the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign against the online shopping behemoth. Workers are demanding better working conditions, increased pay, sick leave, respect for worker organizing, improved environmental practices, and more.
Then, from Dec. 19 to Dec. 24, Amazon workers represented by the Teamsters launched the biggest strike ever against the e-commerce giant. Workers picketed at seven Amazon facilities including New York City; Atlanta; San Francisco; Skoki, Ill.; and three facilities in Southern California. The Teamsters were pushing Amazon to come to a labor agreement after the company missed a Dec. 15 contract deadline set by the union. Teamsters local chapters throughout the country also set up picket lines at hundreds of Amazon Fulfillment Centers. The strike ended without contract resolution.
Starbucks Workers United
Starbucks baristas, represented by Starbucks Workers United, went on a five-day strike that concluded on Christmas Day. Starbucks Workers United represents baristas at more than 500 Starbucks stores nationwide. Back in April, Starbucks and the union resumed contract talks after an impasse that lasted for nearly a year. The workers are demanding increased pay, benefits and staffing. They are also protesting unfair labor practices and want a resolution to outstanding litigation with the coffee giant.
Starbucks and Workers United have had a notoriously acrimonious relationship that has resulted in multiple labor practice complaints against the coffee chain. Baristas at unionized sites have walked off the job in several strikes — usually falling on “Red Cup Day,” the chain’s biggest sales day of the year — since it began organizing workers in 2021.
One such complaint landed in the U.S. Supreme Court during the last session. In that case, Starbucks was challenging an order by the National Labor Relations to reinstate seven workers at a Memphis store who were fired while campaigning to form a union. Ultimately, the justices ruled in favor of Starbucks.
University of California service and patient care workers
More than 37,000 UC workers, represented by AFSCME Local 3299, went on strike Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 as bargaining efforts collapsed. The union’s members are service workers, patient care technical workers and skilled craft workers who work across the system’s 10 campuses, medical centers, clinics and research laboratories. Contracts for both patient care workers and service workers have expired.
Boeing workers
On Nov. 4, Boeing machinists voted to accept the company’s latest contract proposal, ending a 53-day strike at the embattled company.
An estimated 33,000 Boeing employees in Oregon and Washington walked off the job on Sept. 13 aftermembers of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 rejected a tentative deal between union leadership and the company.
Under the deal approved by 59% of voting members includes 38% in wage increases over five years, as well as a $12,000 cash bonus. The union had been seeking raises of 40% and the restoration of a pension plan. The previous contract expired Sept. 12.
On Nov. 13, as the employees returned to work, the company announced it would be laying off 10% of its workforce.
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Cornell University UAW workers
On Aug. 18, Cornell University workers represented by the United Auto Workers union went on strike. The union represents 1,200 university workers and is demanding wage increases. The picketing workers include critical personnel such as food service workers and custodians. The strike began on the eve of student move-ins for the fall semester. A tentative agreement was reached on Aug. 27 and ratified on Sept. 2, ending the strike.
United flight attendants
On Aug. 28, the Association of Flight Attendants - CWA (AFA), which represented some 28,000 workers, voted to authorize a strike. Contract negotiations have been stalled for three years with United Airlines. The union noted that this was the first time since 2005 bankruptcy negotiations that UA flight attendants voted on a strike authorization. The workers are demanding increased pay; payment for time worked regardless if it’s in the air or on the ground; retroactive pay; more scheduling flexibility; retirement benefits; and job security.
Strikes work differently at airlines versus other industries. The union must request and be granted a release from the National Mediation Board. Then the union would not be able to strike for 30 days.
SAG-AFTRA video game actors
SAG-AFTRA video game actors
On July 26, video game actors with SAG-AFTRA went on strike against the major publishers of video games. The actors union has been stalled in its negotiations with some of the biggest players in the space such as Activision and Electronic Arts. Workers want protections against A.I., which has the potential to train on their voices and then replace them. On Sept. 5, performers reached agreement with 80 individual games; the strike continues against several major game publishers.
University of Chicago Medical Center workers
On July 14, more than 100 hospital service workers at the University of Chicago Medical Center went on strike. The workers are members of SEIU Local 73. They are negotiating for a three-year contract that guarantees better pay, vacation and overtime benefits, as well as more affordable health insurance.
Unite Here Local 11
Since July 2024, workers with United Here Local 11 have staged strikes at multiple hotels in Los Angeles. The union is bargaining with the Coordinated Bargaining Group for higher wages; better benefits and improved working conditions; and permanent jobs for replacement workers.
As of Dec. 18, striking workers reached deals with 72 hotels in Los Angeles. That leaves three remaining area hotels with workers in contract negotiations.
More than 9,500 hotel workers staged a strike targeting 25 Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott hotels in nine cities across the country over the Labor Day weekend, according to the Unite Here union. Workers were back on the job by Sept. 4 at most locations but the union continues to press on demands including pay raises and workload.
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Charlotte airport workers
During the week of Thanksgiving, the branch of Service Employees International Union that represents workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport went on a 24-hour strike against ABM and Prospect Airport Services in protest of low wages. The union argues that the workers should be earning well above their hourly wages, which reportedly range from $12.50 to $19 per hour. The workers went on strike during one of the busiest weeks for travel.
Strike activity has spiked over the last couple of years: Work stoppages increased 50% in 2022 compared to 2021, the IRL analysis of 2022 data shows. The uptick was smaller from 2022 to 2023 — a 9% increase — but the number of workers in work stoppages increased by 141% during that period.
The increase was mainly due to four large strikes that accounted for 65% of all workers who went on strike last year. The biggest strikes were held by SAG-AFTRA, the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, Los Angeles Unified School District workers and the UAW.
Here are some of the key findings from the 2023 Labor Action Report from ILR.
Work stoppage totals: There were 470 work stoppages in 2023, including 466 strikes and four lockouts. In total, approximately 539,000 workers were involved in these work stoppages. Work stoppages increased by 9% from 2022 to 2023.
Workers involved: The number of workers involved in work stoppages increased by 141% from 2022 to 2023.
Workers' top demands: The report found workers were demanding “better pay, improved health and safety and increased staffing.”
How long work stoppages lasted: Most work stoppages lasted a short period of time. 62% lasted fewer than five days.
How many nonunion workers organized strikes: Nonunion workers organized 22% of all strikes in 2023 compared to 31% in 2022.
The industry that dominated strikes: The majority of work stoppages in 2023 were in the accommodation and food services industry — about one-third of all stoppages. But these stoppages account for only 6% of total workers involved in stoppages for the year. The majority of accommodation and food services workers were led by Starbucks Workers United — an organizing effort to unionize Starbucks locations — or the Fight for $15 campaign — an organizing effort to unionize underpaid workers and secure a $15 minimum wage.
Other industries that went on strike: Work stoppages were evenly dispersed across other industries outside of food services compared to 2022. The industries with the highest number of work stoppages included information, health care and social assistance, as well as educational services.
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images News via Getty Images)
