Over 450,000 workers have taken part in 312 strikes in the United States this year, as reported by Cornell University’s Labor Action Tracker
The US government's monthly jobs reports do not necessarily account for all striking workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) produces the monthly jobs report based on two different surveys
One survey asks employers to report their payroll records for the pay period including the 12th of the month to determine hiring and layoffs
Striking workers are counted as employed if they earned pay for any part of the reference period, even if just one hour
Striking workers are subtracted from the employment level when not working during the reference pay period and added back when they return to work
In the September jobs report, striking United Auto Workers members are counted as employed due to the strike starting during the reference week
The impact of the SAG-AFTRA strike was reflected in the September jobs report, showing a decline in employment in motion picture and sound recording industries
For strikes like the Writers Guild of America strike, where many members are freelancers, industry hiring data may not show the impact
Another survey used to construct the monthly jobs report captures all types of working arrangements, including contractors and freelancers on strike, which can impact the unemployment rate