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 players have not ruled out a work stoppage in the event the two parties can’t come to terms ahead of the deadline. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 May 2025

Also in the 1980s, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) was on strike for 108 days, Metro North, which is the commuter line serving the suburbs north of New York, was on strike for 42 days, and an 11-day work stoppage occurred on the Long Island Railroad. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 15 May 2025

With a work stoppage possible after the current labor-management Basic Agreement expires on Dec. 1, 2026, next year may be the last to operate under prevailing conditions. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

The union, which originally projected in late March that a strike might involve as many as 6,000 workers at 60 homes, has asked members over the last few weeks to empower union leaders to order a work stoppage — if leaders deem insufficient progress has occurred in negotiations. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 May 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.”