sympathy strike

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Explanation of "Sympathy Strike"

Definition:
A "sympathy strike" is a type of work stoppage where workers stop working to show support for other workers who are on strike. This means they are not protesting against their own employer, but rather standing in solidarity with workers who are fighting for their rights or better conditions.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• When to Use: You can use "sympathy strike" when discussing labor movements, worker rights, or situations where one group of workers supports another group of workers who are on strike.

Example Sentence:

• "The engineers decided to go on a sympathy strike to support the factory workers who were demanding higher wages."

Advanced Usage:

In labor relations, sympathy strikes may be seen as a way to increase pressure on an employer by showing that multiple groups of workers stand together. This can sometimes lead to negotiations or changes in company policies.

Word Variants:

• Sympathetic (adjective): Showing compassion or understanding towards someone else's situation.
  • Example: "She was sympathetic to her colleague's struggles during the strike."

Different Meanings:

• Sympathy: Generally refers to feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
• Strike: In this context, it means to stop working as a form of protest.

Synonyms:

• Solidarity strike
• Support strike

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Stand in solidarity: To support someone or a group in their cause.

  • Example: "We must stand in solidarity with our fellow workers."

• Call for a strike: To formally ask workers to stop working to protest conditions.

Academic

Noun

1. a strike in support of other workers who are on strike; a strike not resulting from direct grievances against the workers' employer

Synonyms

• sympathetic strike