This lesson introduces strike action as a form of collective workplace protest and traces its development from early examples to the Industrial Revolution.
A strike, also called a labour or labor strike, occurs when employees collectively refuse to work. It is a form of direct action: people act together to put pressure on an employer or another authority rather than relying only on formal channels.
All flashcards
Recognition strike
A strike intended to make an employer or industry recognize a union as workers’ collective bargaining representative.
Black ban
Collective action against a particular job or employer to protect strikers’ economic interests.
Green ban
Collective action against a job or employer for environmental or conservation purposes.
No-strike clause
A collective agreement provision prohibiting strikes within its scope and during its term.
Strikebreaker
Someone who works during a strike, including a replacement worker or someone crossing a picket line.
Quiz questions
What distinguishes a general strike from a stoppage limited to one workplace?Answer: It involves many important groups of workers across a community or region.
In work-to-rule, how do employees seek to disrupt work?Answer: They follow procedures exactly and withhold extra flexibility or effort.
What makes a strike a wildcat strike?Answer: It takes place without formal union authorization.
What was the immediate political context for Germany’s 1920 general strike?Answer: It was called in response to the attempted Kapp Putsch.
In the cited U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics series, what qualifies as a major work stoppage?Answer: A strike or lockout involving at least 1,000 workers and one full work shift.
Based on the Wikipedia article Strike action, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.