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

Meanwhile, negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement need to be done before the 2026 season to avoid a work stoppage. —Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Kinema points to the sit-down strike of Flint, Michigan autoworkers between 1936 to 1937, when workers staged a major work stoppage that eventually led to union recognition for General Motors employees. —Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025

All airline tickets are subject to flight variation, work stoppages, and schedule or route changes. —USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025

That number would be even higher if not for concussions and NHL work stoppages. —Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 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.”