Final answer:
The statement is false; since 1982, the U.S. has seen a general decline in the number and scale of labor strikes and work stoppages compared to earlier periods in the 20th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that work stoppages in the United States since 1982 have been at or near historic higher levels in terms of numbers of strikes, employees involved, and days idled is false. Throughout the 20th century, particularly around World War I, World War II, and the subsequent post-war periods, there were significant numbers of large-scale strikes and labor actions. However, since the 1980s, the number of strikes and the size of labor actions in the U.S. have generally declined. This is due in part to shifts in the economy from manufacturing to service industries, legal environments that made it harder for unions to grow, and changes in union strategies.