strike-breaking
Definition
- Noun:
- The act of breaking a strike: "Strike-breaking" refers to the practice of working or employing workers during a strike to undermine the strike's effectiveness, typically by replacing striking workers.
Usage Examples
- (The company tried to keep operating by hiring replacements during the strike.)
- (The act of breaking a strike can cause physical conflicts.)
- (The leaders criticized the methods used to undermine the strike.)
Advanced Usage
"Strike-breaking as a strategy": the deliberate use of non-union labour to weaken a strike.
- The management's strike-breaking strategy succeeded in ending the walkout. (The company's plan to replace strikers worked.)
"To engage in strike-breaking": to participate in activities that break a strike.
- The government accused the company of engaging in strike-breaking. (The company was charged with breaking the strike.)
Variants and Related Words
Strike-breaker (n): a person who works during a strike or is hired to replace a striking worker.
- The striker called the new employee a strike-breaker. (The worker who replaced the striker was seen as an opponent.)
Strike (n): a work stoppage by employees to protest conditions or demand changes.
- The strike lasted three weeks. (The work stoppage continued for three weeks.)
Synonyms
- Scabbing: a derogatory term for working during a strike (informal).
- Union-busting: broader tactics to weaken or destroy a union, including strike-breaking.
- Blacklegging: another term for strike-breaking (chiefly British).
Phrasal Verbs
Break a strike: to end or undermine a strike by using replacement workers.
- The company tried to break the strike by hiring new staff. (The company attempted to end the strike with replacements.)
Cross a picket line: to go to work despite a strike, often considered a form of strike-breaking.
- He refused to cross the picket line out of solidarity. (He would not work during the strike.)
Related Idioms
To scab: to work during a strike (informal, derogatory).
- They accused him of scabbing when he took the job. (They said he was a strike-breaker.)
To go against the union: to act in opposition to union solidarity.
- Strike-breaking is seen as going against the union. (It violates union principles.)