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 potential work stoppage would come in Towson, Md., where the local Apple Store became the first to unionize a couple years ago. —David Meyer, Fortune, 13 May 2024 The potential work stoppage would follow a strike at Apple stores in France in September 2023 over pay and working conditions. —Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for work stoppage 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'work stoppage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of work stoppage was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near work stoppage

work stone

work stoppage

work-stopper

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Work stoppage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/work%20stoppage. Accessed 17 May. 2024.

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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.”

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