strikebreaker

American  

[strahyk-brey-ker] / ˈstraɪkˌbreɪ kər /

noun

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

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strikebreaker British  

/ ˈstraɪkˌbreɪkə /

noun

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

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strikebreaker Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• strikebreaking noun

Etymology

Origin of strikebreaker

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

“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

“We want to keep the hotels on their toes and guessing. Every hotel has agency strikebreakers in their properties, waiting to be deployed,” Petersen said.

From Los Angeles Times

Scabby’s name is a play on “scabs,” the derogatory term dating back to the 1800s for strikebreakers who cross picket lines to work.

From Seattle Times