Work stoppages

During an organised strike action or work stoppage, workers temporarily cease working to force employers to meet their demands. It is not the number of strikes that counts, but the number of labour disputes, insofar as the dispute leads to further action in the shape of strikes or stoppages. Several issues may play a part in a labour dispute. If this is the case, the most important issue is the decisive factor.

Statistics Netherlands looks at labour disputes from an economic point of view. If the labour process is disrupted as a result of actions, these actions are defined as strikes. In 2010, there were 18 actions, which were not defined as strikes by Statistics Netherlands. It concerned actions carried out outside normal working hours, distribution of leaflets by representatives of the trade unions at factory gates, working Sunday shifts, work meetings and ’creative’ actions.