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

The owners and players need to remove the black cloud of a potential work stoppage. —Jim Bowden, New York Times, 13 May 2026

In the wild-card era, there have been 37 teams that have started at 25-12 or better in a season not interrupted by a work stoppage or pandemic. —John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2026

The Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU) announced on Saturday that 89 percent of participating members voted to greenlight a tentative first contract deal, which concludes the union’s 82-day work stoppage. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2026

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and five of its unions are embroiled in a contract dispute that could trigger the railroad's first work stoppage in more than 30 years. —Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 8 May 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.”