If workers take industrial action, they join together and do something to show that they are unhappy with their pay or working conditions, for example refusing to work.
[mainly British]
Prison officers have decided to take industrial action.
industrial action in British English
noun
British
any action, such as a strike or go-slow, taken by employees in industry to protest against working conditions, redundancies, etc
Examples of 'industrial action' in a sentence
industrial action
They added that staff had voted by nine to one for industrial action.
The Sun (2016)
The scale of the industrial action is unforgivable.
The Sun (2016)
The reliance on overtime has to stop so industrial action cannot cause such disruption.
The Sun (2017)
Are other public sector workers banned from taking industrial action?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Any talk of more industrial action must end.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A national campaign to recruit hundreds of train drivers is to be launched under government plans to combat a wave of industrial action.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
As public opinion turns against them and junior doctors feel the effects of industrial action on their pay packet, support will surely ebb away.
The Sun (2016)
At the time the party did not think that they were needed, judging that new thresholds for ballots on industrial action would be enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The industrial action is over pay and conditions.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Greece has been rocked by riots and industrial action in protest over spending cuts by the government.
The Sun (2010)
Industrial action made it miserable for commuters.
The Sun (2015)
For the previous two years teachers had been taking industrial action in a pay dispute.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Employees voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action over pay.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Hundreds of workers are to take industrial action after being told to pay a levy to park their cars.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The largest classroom union will open talks with other teaching unions on industrial action to block the tests next year.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Officers were not allowed to strike but secret ballots nationwide showed a majority in favour of the right to take industrial action.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Students at a British university are organising their own lectures in frustration at industrial action by academics.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It has been illegal since 1997 for prison officers to take industrial action.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was the first industrial action over pay in the health service for 32 years.
The Sun (2014)
Dairy farmers can't take industrial action.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The union claimed that the move could be illegal because firms are not allowed to hire agency workers to replace staff taking industrial action.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A secret ballot of those in dispute must now take place before industrial action is allowed.
Chambers, Ian Business Studies Basic Facts (1990)
Extended industrial action could prove costly for the airline, which is facing rising fuel prices and fierce competition.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The largest teachers' union is preparing to broaden its campaign of industrial action with fresh strikes in protest against cuts to school budgets.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
JUNIOR doctors have voted to take industrial action on Tuesday.
The Sun (2015)
NOW here's how to take industrial action.
The Sun (2015)
Many Conservative MPs protested against the industrial action.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But since 200 drivers did not vote, the union can claim a majority of those who votedsupported industrial action.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
All the union has to do is ballot its members and, provided a majority vote for industrial action, the strike is legal.