Strike action
Collective refusal to work for improved conditions or political change.
Strike action, also called labor strike or simply strike, is a form of direct action in which employees collectively refuse to work, usually in response to grievances. It became common during the Industrial Revolution and has been used to pressure employers or governments for improved conditions, unionization, or political change. Strikes have been subject to legal repression and later legalization in many Western nations.
- average US workdays lost to strikes (194
- 0.1% of working days per year
Lore & Background
The government ended the strike by partially paying overdue wages (in grain rations). A Jewish source in the Talmud records bakers who prepared showbread for the altar going on strike. In ancient Rome, the secessio plebis has been characterized as a predecessor of the general strike.
Reader's Guide
Strike action has been a central tool for workers to demand better wages, conditions, and union recognition, especially since the Industrial Revolution. While strikes were often repressed as unlawful conspiracies, many Western nations legalized them under certain conditions by the early 20th century. The frequency of strikes has generally declined since the 1990s, attributed to factors like lower information costs and rising personal indebtedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Strike action?
Strike action is a collective decision by workers to halt their labor, typically as a response to unresolved workplace grievances. It functions as a form of direct action aimed at compelling employers or governments to negotiate better terms.
What is Strike action's primary role in labor relations?
Its core function is to withhold labor as leverage, pressuring employers or state actors into granting concessions such as higher wages, safer working environments, or the right to form unions. It can also be deployed for broader political objectives beyond a single workplace.
How much does Strike action affect the US economy?
By the 1940s, strikes accounted for roughly 0.1% of total working days lost per year in the United States, indicating that while dramatic, their aggregate economic disruption was relatively modest. This figure reflects a period when organized labor was at its peak influence.
Why is Strike action considered important in labor history?
It represents one of the few tools workers possess to counterbalance employer power without relying on courts or legislatures. Over time, many Western nations shifted from criminalizing strikes to legally protecting the right to strike, marking a major evolution in labor rights.
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