strike

Definition

Collective, organized, cessation or slowdown of work by employees, to force acceptance of their demands by the employer. In most jurisdictions require that to be legal (1) a strike must be approved by the majority of the employees in a secret ballot, (2) the ballot must be subject to independent verification if the number of employees exceeds a certain number (commonly 50), (3) a notice of the impending strike ballot must be given to the employer a certain number of days in advance (commonly seven), (4) the employer must be provided with the results of the ballot and, thereafter, (5) a notice of the union's intention to proceed with the strike must be given to the employer a certain number of days in advance (commonly seven). Also called strike action or industrial action. See also lockout.