Industrial Action

Industrial action (UK, Ireland and Australia) or job action (Canada and US) refers collectively to any measure taken by trade unions or other organised labour meant to reduce productivity in a workplace. Quite often it is used and interpreted as a euphemism for strike, but the scope is much wider. Industrial action may take place in the context of a labour dispute or may be meant to effect political or social change. Specifically industrial action may include one or more of the following:

  • Strike
  • Occupation of factories
  • Work-to-rule
  • General strike
  • Slowdown (or Go-slow)
  • Overtime ban

Famous quotes containing the words industrial and/or action:

    In an industrial society which confuses work and productivity, the necessity of producing has always been an enemy of the desire to create.
    Raoul Vaneigem (b. 1934)

    I feel like a white granular mass of amorphous crystals—my formula appears to be isomeric with Spasmotoxin. My aurochloride precipitates into beautiful prismatic needles. My Platinochloride develops octohedron crystals,—with a fine blue florescence. My physiological action is not indifferent. One millionth of a grain injected under the skin of a frog produced instantaneous death accompanied by an orange blossom odor.
    Lafcadio Hearn (1850–1904)