blue flu

noun

1. absenteeism among police officers or firefighters who claim to be ill but are in fact absent to support union contract demands or negotiations: so called from the officers' blue uniforms.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue flu¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Smith, who is Latino, had accused the officers of participating in a “blue flu” protest — calling out sick en masse — and using excessive force against protesters.

From Los Angeles Times

But there was also another reason for the lack of police presence: In the days following Howard’s decision to indict, 171 Atlanta police officers out of a force of 2,000 called in sick, in what local news outlets began calling a “blue flu.”

From New York Times

But there was also another reason for the lack of police presence: In the days following Howard’s decision to indict, 171 Atlanta police officers out of a force of 2,000 called in sick, in what local news outlets began calling a “blue flu.”

From New York Times

The show can’t escape the “but these cops are good” mentality, as evidenced by the way the lead characters are the only ones who stay out of a “blue flu” strike protesting perceived anti-cop prejudice.

From Slate

Then came the "Blue Flu" — when a high number of police officers called out sick in protest.

From Fox News