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 the lead-up to a possible work stoppage, Safeway has reportedly been seeking to hire replacement workers for hourly wages higher than most of the company’s workers, KQED reported on Friday. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 25 July 2025

By encouraging players to fake injuries and thus partake in a work stoppage, Moreland found, Tretter—and by extension the NFLPA—violated Article 2. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 July 2025

Players anticipate the content — and tone — of that meeting will set expectations for the likelihood of a work stoppage. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025

More than 90 percent of these contracts are settled without a work stoppage. —Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025

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.”