sit-down strike

American  

noun

1. a strike during which workers occupy their place of employment and refuse to work or allow others to work until the strike is settled.

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sit-down strike British  

noun

1. a strike in which workers refuse to leave their place of employment until a settlement is reached

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Etymology

Origin of sit-down strike

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

She staged a sit-down strike at a segregated roller skating rink in Cambridge, Mass., when she was 14, and she later broke ground as a Black woman in education, employment and housing.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2024

When the elevator breaks down yet again and Isaac can’t get to an exam on the upper floor, the whole school stages a sit-down strike in his support.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2023

Kildee’s congressional district includes the city of Flint, where a sit-down strike by General Motors workers in 1936-1937 brought about one of the biggest victories for labor unions in America’s history.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 11, 2021

The narrative really took on a life of its own when a New Yorker article in 1976 referred to "a sort of sit-down strike one day about half-way through the mission".

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2021

It would be like the Flint sit-down strike.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2014