What is a strikebreaker?

A strikebreaker is an employee who continues to work during a strike, often in defiance of the labor action called by a union. This term is typically used in a negative context to describe someone who undermines the efforts of striking workers by maintaining operations at a business that is affected by the strike.

The presence of strikebreakers can complicate labor disputes, as they may reduce the pressure on the employer to negotiate with the striking workers. This can lead to prolonged conflicts between labor and management. Understanding the role of strikebreakers is essential in the context of labor relations, as it highlights the dynamics at play during labor disputes and the strategies employed by both unions and employers in response to strikes.