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Simple English definitions for legal terms
blue flu
Read a random definition: supplemental pleading
A quick definition of blue flu:
Term: Blue flu
Definition: Blue flu is when a lot of police officers call in sick at the same time to protest something they don't like, like bad working conditions or new rules they don't agree with. They do this because they're not allowed to go on strike, which means they can't all stop working at the same time. So instead, they use blue flu to show that they're unhappy and want things to change.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Blue flu is a term used to describe a tactic used by law enforcement officers to protest labor conditions or policy changes. It involves calling in sick en masse to circumvent prohibitions against police strikes. This tactic is used when police officers cannot legally go on strike due to laws that criminalize organized police strikes.
- In 1971, police officers in New York City used the blue flu tactic to protest against low wages and poor working conditions. Over 20,000 officers called in sick, leaving the city vulnerable to crime.
- In 2014, police officers in St. Louis, Missouri used the blue flu tactic to protest against the mayor's decision to cut their pensions. Over 100 officers called in sick, causing a shortage of police officers on duty.
These examples illustrate how police officers use the blue flu tactic to protest against labor conditions or policy changes. By calling in sick en masse, they are able to show their dissatisfaction without breaking the law by going on strike.