strikebreaker

[ strahyk-brey-ker ]

noun

1. a person who takes part in breaking up a strike of workers, either by working or by furnishing workers.

strikebreaker

/ ˈstraɪkˌbreɪkə /

noun

1. a person who tries to make a strike ineffectual by working or by taking the place of those on strike

strikebreaker

1. An employee hired to replace a striking worker. ( See scab .)

Derived Forms

• ˈstrikeˌbreaking, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of strikebreaker¹

First recorded in 1900–05; strike + breaker ¹

Example Sentences

The workers subsequently walked off the job, with the union accusing Tesla of hiring strikebreakers to lessen the cost of IF Metall’s strike.

From Washington Times

“Instead of addressing L.A.’s housing crisis, the hotel industry prefers to exploit the unhoused as strikebreakers to avoid paying their own workers enough to afford housing themselves.”

From Los Angeles Times

“UPS should stop wasting time and money on training strikebreakers and get back to the negotiating table with a real economic offer,” the Teamsters said last week.

From Washington Times

“Part of waging a successful strike is picketing, where members peacefully protest outside of struck companies’ work locations to draw public attention to our cause, shut down production, and discourage strikebreakers.”

From Los Angeles Times

A notorious strikebreaker noted for paying his workers abysmally low wages, the complicated robber baron also publicly supported progressive tax laws, including estate taxes.

From Seattle Times