work stoppage

noun

: concerted cessation of work by a group of employees usually more spontaneous and less serious than a strike

Examples of work stoppage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Spring 2024, Hollywood headed into the IATSE negotiations anticipating another potential work stoppage. —Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 18 June 2026

City Hall has not said whether Mamdani would consider a work stoppage, but the mayor issued a statement. —Ali Bauman, CBS News, 18 June 2026

The report comes as bar advocate work stoppage has resulted in hundreds of cases being dismissed due to defendants not being provided legal representation within 45 days, per the state’s Lavalle Protocol. —Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026

Major League Baseball is in a great spot right now, and World Series champion John Smoltz said the sport cannot afford a work stoppage. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

work stoppage

noun

: a cessation of work by employees as a job action

Note: Work stoppage is often used to refer to a cessation of work that is less serious and more spontaneous than one referred to as a strike. As used in the Labor Management Relations Act strike refers to “any…concerted stoppage of work by employees…and any concerted slowdown or other concerted interruption of operations by employees.”