strike

/straɪk/ noun [C] HR, WORKPLACE

Definition

› a period of time when a group of workers refuse to work because they are not satisfied with their pay, working conditions, etc.: In a statement, the union said there were no plans for a strike. a postal/rail workers'/miners' strike a 24-hour/2-day, etc. strikecall for/call off/avoid a strike Managers sought to avoid a strike by cabin crew over sick leave rules.a strike by sb Fresh moves to stop more strikes by council workers will be made this week.a strike against sth 20% of the workforce has joined a strike against the privatization plans announced yesterday.a strike begins/ends/goes ahead The strike will begin at 6 a.m. Oct. 31 and end 24 hours later.

be on strike › if a group of workers are on strike, they refuse to work because they are not satisfied with their pay, working conditions, etc.: Refuse collectors are on strike and rubbish is now piling up across the region.

go (out) on strike (also come/walk out on strike) › if a group of workers go on strike, they stop working because they are not satisfied with their pay, working conditions, etc.: Around 160 staff are due to go on strike next week in a row over pay.

call/take/lead sb out on strike › if a trade union or official organization calls, takes, or leads a group of workers out on strike, it announces that they are stopping working because they are not satisfied with their pay, working conditions, etc.: The Police Federation has refused to take its members out on strike.