LABOUR STRIKE Meaning and
Definition
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A labor strike is a collective action undertaken by a group of workers, typically within a specific industry or company, to protest against their employers and demand better working conditions, increased wages, or other labor-related rights and benefits. It is a manifestation of labor unrest and a powerful tool for workers to assert their interests and negotiate with management.
During a labor strike, participating workers refuse to report to work, causing a disruption in the normal functioning of the employer's operations. This withdrawal of labor is often legally protected and carried out under the guidance of labor union leaders or other worker representatives. The primary objective of a labor strike is to exert economic and social pressure on employers, compelling them to address the demands of the striking workers.
Strikes can take different forms, including sit-ins, work stoppages, slowdowns, and picketing outside workplaces. They can be brief or extend over a prolonged period depending on the negotiation process and the resolution of the issues at hand. Labor strikes have been used as a means of achieving various goals, such as combating unfair labor practices, ensuring safe working conditions, and improving job security.
In conclusion, a labor strike is an organized withdrawal of labor by workers aimed at bringing attention to their grievances and advocating for better working conditions, wages, and labor rights. It is a form of collective action employed by workers to negotiate with employers and achieve their desired objectives.
Etymology of LABOUR STRIKE
The word "strike" originates from the Old English "strīcan", meaning "to go, proceed, move forward, advance". It evolved over time to acquire the meaning of "to strike, hit, smite", and eventually gained the connotation of workers ceasing work collectively as a form of protest or industrial action.
The term "labour strike" combines "labour", derived from the Latin word "labor" meaning "work", and "strike". Its etymology stems from the idea that workers collectively strike or stop performing their labor as a means to demand better working conditions, increased wages, or other improvements in their employment terms.
