wildcat strike

noun

1. a labor strike that has not been called or sanctioned by the officials of the union.

wildcat strike

noun

1. a strike begun by workers spontaneously or without union approval

wildcat strike

1. A strike called in violation of an existing contract between labor and management .

Word History and Origins

Origin of wildcat strike¹

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Example Sentences

As we celebrate Christmas in 2021, low-wage workers are again walking off the job in an historic wildcat strike that many Americans have misunderstood as simply “supply chain issues” or a “slow economic recovery.”

From Time

A wave of rebellions within the unions and wildcat strikes challenged the idea that automation was making their jobs easier.

From MIT Technology Review

In 1970, following widespread wildcat strikes demanding better pay and safer working conditions, the post office was transformed.

From FiveThirtyEight