strike-breaker

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who takes the place of striking workers: A "strike-breaker" is an individual who works during a strike, often hired by an employer to replace employees who are on strike, with the intention of undermining or ending the strike.
   • A person who disrupts a strike: More broadly, it can refer to anyone who actively opposes or sabotages a strike by working or encouraging others to work.

Usage Examples

• (New workers replaced striking laborers.)
• (Accusation of disrupting the strike effort.)
• (The action causes conflict.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act as a strike-breaker": to perform the role of replacing or undermining striking workers.

  • He was condemned by his colleagues for acting as a strike-breaker during the dispute. (He worked while others were on strike.)

• "strike-breaking activity": actions taken to oppose or weaken a strike.

  • Strike-breaking activity, such as crossing picket lines, is illegal in some countries. (Specific behaviors that break a strike.)

Variants and Related Words

• Strike-breaking (adj/n): the practice or action of employing strike-breakers.

  • The strike-breaking tactics used by the corporation were widely criticized. (The methods to end the strike.)

• Strike (n): a work stoppage by employees to protest conditions or demand changes.

  • The workers voted to go on strike for higher wages. (A collective action.)

• Breaker (n): someone or something that breaks or disrupts.

  • He was labeled a rule-breaker for his actions. (A person who violates norms.)

Synonyms

• Scab: a derogatory term for a strike-breaker.
  • The union members shouted "scab" at the replacement workers. (A strong negative label.)
• Blackleg: a British term for a strike-breaker.
  • The mine owners brought in blacklegs to keep production going. (A specific regional synonym.)

Related Idioms

• Cross the picket line: to enter or work at a place where workers are on strike.

  • She refused to cross the picket line and support the strike-breakers. (To go against the strike.)

• Take someone's job during a strike: the core action of a strike-breaker.

  • The strike-breakers took the jobs of the striking workers at lower wages. (Replacement employment.)