Strike action

Strike action (or simply strike) is a deliberate refusal to work on the part of multiple employees. This is a tactic often employed by labor unions during collective bargaining with an employer. If a strike takes place against the will of the leadership of the union, or without a union, it's known as a wildcat strike. In many countries, wildcat strikes do not enjoy the same legal protections as standard union strikes, and may result in penalties for the union whose members participate. A strike may consist of workers refusing to attend work or picketing outside the workplace so as to prevent or dissuade other people from working in their place or conducting business with their employer. Or, a strike may consist of workers attending or occupying the workplace, but refusing to do their jobs or leave. This is known as a sit-down strike.

Strikes may be specific to a particular workplace, employer, or unit within a workplace, or they may encompass an entire industry, or every worker within a city or country. Strikes that involve all workers are known as general strikes.

People in certain professions, particularly those regarded as critical to society, are sometimes prohibited by law from striking. Police, firefighters, and air traffic controllers are among the groups sometimes affected. Occasionally, people in these professions will try circumvent strike restrictions, such as by falsely claiming inability to work due to illness - this is sometimes called a "sickout". The term "blue flu" has sometimes been used to describe this action when taken by police officers.

Another tactic short of a full strike is a work-to-rule, in which workers perform their tasks exactly as they are told to and no better. For example, workers might follow all safety regulations in such a way as it impedes their productivity, or they might refuse to work any overtime.

When an employer prevents employees from working, this is known as a lockout; collectively, lockouts and strikes are known as work stoppages.

Strikes first became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became important in factories and mines.