Industrial action can be impressive (8)
I believe the answer is:
striking
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'industrial action' is the first definition.
(strikes are a type of industrial action)
'be impressive' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)
'can' is the link.
(Other definitions for striking that I've seen before include "Noticeable" , "Hitting or refusing to work" , "not working" , "Impressive; refusing to work" , "Conspicuously impressive" .)