Also known as “unofficial industrial action”, a wildcat strike is taken by unionised workers without official approval or authorisation by union officials.
A wildcat strike refers to a strike that is undertaken without the approval or involvement of a trade union or other formal organization. It's a form of industrial action that is undertaken spontaneously by workers, often as a response to poor working conditions or other grievances. Some key characteristics of wildcat strikes include:
They're typically unplanned and unannounced.
They can spread quickly and unpredictably.
They're often difficult to control or manage.
They can be highly disruptive to businesses and cause economic losses.
They can be a sign of deep dissatisfaction among workers.
Wildcat strikes can be seen as a way for workers to assert their power and demand better working conditions, but they can also lead to negative consequences such as job losses, legal action, and public backlash.