Labor Strikes Continue: Anticipating Fall's Impact

The number of workers going on strike in 2023 has surged compared to previous years, with 362,000 workers walking off the job so far. The United Auto Workers' strikes could potentially make 2023 the biggest year for labor activity since 1986. While the National Labor Relations Act protects the right to strike, workers face risks such as job loss and loss of health insurance. Strikers must act collectively, and certain sectors like railway and airline employees have additional obstacles to strike. Most government employees are prohibited from striking, and police and firefighters are not allowed to strike. Strikers can be permanently replaced, but may have the right to reinstatement if the strike was due to unfair labor practices. Workers who go on strike typically lose wages and may have their health insurance suspended. Only two states, New York and New Jersey, provide unemployment coverage to strikers, while a bill in Massachusetts aims to offer unemployment benefits to strikers after 30 days.