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industrial action

(chiefly, UK, Irish, labor) A workplace protest by employees designed to inconvenience or disrupt the business of the employer.

ɪnˈdʌstɹiəl ˈækʃənCurrent211 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(chiefly, UK, Irish, labor) A workplace protest by employees designed to inconvenience or disrupt the business of the employer.

The federation, set up in 1919 after police were banned from taking industrial action when strikes led to riots and looting, is a statutory body that provides legal support to its officers, as well as fighting their corner like a union …
For parents

Industrial action means: A workplace protest by employees designed to inconvenience or disrupt the business of the employer.. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. As a place or proper-name reference it is purely descriptive. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

industrial action means: A workplace protest by employees designed to inconvenience or disrupt the business of the employer.. Register: informal, Irish English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Cluster: work
Heard in the wild
  • “Solidarity to Windsor Forest College in their continuing industrial action. A 1.7% pay rise is a pay cut!”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “United Airlines issued a Brussels Industrial Action alert for BRU. Original travel: May 11, 2026 - May 12, 2026; must be completed by May 15, 2026. Additional details here. #PaxEx #AvGeek”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

Industrial action means: A workplace protest by employees designed to inconvenience or disrupt the business of the employer.. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. As a place or proper-name reference it is purely descriptive. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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