Sympathy strike is a form of industrial action taken by workers who are not directly involved in a dispute but who stop work in order to show support for colleagues who are. The spelling of this word follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription /ˈsɪmpəθi straɪk/. The first syllable of "sympathy" is pronounced as "SIMP-uh-thee" while the second syllable of "strike" is pronounced as "stryk". The IPA phonetic transcription helps to accurately represent the pronunciation of this term.
A sympathy strike, also known as a solidarity strike, is a form of industrial action undertaken by workers in support of other striking workers, despite having a separate employer. It is a collective action employed by employees to demonstrate their solidarity with a group of workers who are engaged in a strike or facing labor disputes. The aim of a sympathy strike is to exert additional pressure on employers and increase leverage during negotiations by disrupting the functioning of multiple industries or workplaces.
A sympathy strike typically occurs when workers who are not directly involved in a labor dispute decide to cease work and/or picket alongside their counterparts from another workplace or industry. This form of strike is predominantly driven by a sense of empathy, camaraderie, and shared interests among workers. By expressing solidarity with a group of employees, sympathizers hope to demonstrate the strength of their collective bargaining power and encourage a resolution that fulfills the demands of the striking workers.
Sympathy strikes can have significant economic impacts as they often disrupt the flow of goods and services, amplifying the pressure on employers. However, the legality of sympathy strikes varies from country to country, with some jurisdictions allowing them under specific conditions, while others prohibit them entirely. Legal considerations, existing union agreements, and the potential consequences should be carefully evaluated before engaging in a sympathy strike.
The word "sympathy strike" originated from the term "sympathy", which derives from the Greek word "sympatheia". "Sym" means "together" or "with", and "patheia" means "feeling" or "suffering". In ancient Greek philosophy, the concept of "sympatheia" described a shared understanding of emotions and experiences among individuals.
Over time, "sympathy" evolved to refer to a sense of compassion or understanding for others' plights, especially during times of hardship or suffering. In the context of labor movements and strikes, "sympathy strike" emerged to describe a work stoppage or strike by a group of workers in support or solidarity with another group's labor dispute.
The term gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the rise of organized labor movements and collective bargaining.