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 biggest news Friday, other than the Cubs’ super-fast 1-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles, was the All-Star Game coming to Wrigley in two years, barring a work stoppage that Manfred refused to address. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025

But most unions have some ability to implement work stoppages and impose costs on employers to negotiate for raises and better benefits and conditions. —Skip Mark, The Conversation, 31 July 2025

The bar advocates work stoppage in Massachusetts started on May 27, with more than 100 Boston Municipal Court criminal defendants having their charges dismissed last week due to lack of legal representation — including a number of serious assault and domestic battery cases. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 30 July 2025

There needs to be an agreement by the Oct. 31 deadline to avoid a work stoppage. —Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 11 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.”