wildcat strike

Definitions

A labor strike that has not been authorized by the leaders of a trade union.

Equivalents

Examples

“Organized workers must have⟳ their strike⟳ backed by the union. If the employer can bargain with his workers only through the union, the workers must also use⟳ the same channel. Hence "wildcat" strikes are outlawed, unless the circumstances are so unusual that the unions have⟳ ceased really to represent⟳ the workers and are repudiated by them.”

“It [the Taft–Hartley Act] labels certain union practices as "unfair" and permits the NLRB [National Labor Relations Board⟳] to take⟳ action to stop⟳ them. These unfair practices include⟳ wildcat strikes (walking off the job without taking a strike⟳ vote⟳), sympathy strikes (striking to demonstrate⟳ support⟳ of strikers in another company), jurisdictional strikes (disputes between unions over their right to represent⟳ workers), secondary boycotts (refusal of workers to handle⟳ goods made by some other company whose workers are striking), and featherbedding (requiring an employer to use⟳ unnecessary labor).”

“Despite the progressive provisions of the 1974 labor agreement, there were more wildcat strikes in the bituminous coal industry in 1974 than ever before in history. The record⟳ in 1975 was worse than in 1974; in 1976 it was worse than in 1975; and 1977 is headed toward yet another record⟳ high in wildcat strike⟳ activity.”

“The wildcat strike⟳ differs considerably from authorized strikes. In the first place⟳, the wildcat generally comes as a complete⟳ surprise⟳, while management is usually notified well in advance when an authorized strike⟳ is to take⟳ place⟳. [...] Once the walkout starts, the supervisor’s labor relations job is twofold: to prevent⟳ the wildcat strike’s spread⟳; and to put⟳ into writing information that would support⟳ the company’s discipline of wildcatters as set⟳ forth in the contract and in law.”

“During the past two decades, as the incidence of industrial disputes, wildcat strikes, and mass workers' disputes became widespread in China, the question⟳ of union organisation has drawn increasing attention both at home and abroad.”

CEFR level