STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS

CONTENTS
-Meaning of strike and lockout
-Types of strikes
-Reasons for strikes and lockouts
-Advantages and disadvantages of strikes
-Effects of strikes to workers, employer, consumer and
the government.
-Weapons used by employer to get employees agree to
their conditions
-Weapons used by employees to get their needs and
demands accepted by employer
INTRODUCTION
 STRIKE
A strike is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to
work whether total or partial stoppage of work due to their dispute with
the employer
A strike is a very powerful weapon to get employees demand accepted by
the management
A strike is based on the workers refusing to work in an effect to accomplish
financial and personal gain from the employer, it arises due to
unsatisfactory employment terms and conditions such as excessive
working hours without overtime payments or payment of poor salaries
TYPES OF STRIKES
 1.PRIMARY STRIKES( FACE TO FACE STRIKES)
Primary strikes are generally against employer on
whom the dispute exist. They are of the following
types
(i)Stay away strike: in this strike workmen stay away
from workplace. They organize rallies, demonstrations
etc.
(ii)Stay in or sit down strikes: in this strike workers come
to the place, they stay at workplace but they don’t
work.
(iii)Token or protest strikes: it is of very short duration. in
this strike workers do not work for an hour or a day.
(iv) Go-slow: in this strike, the workers intentionally
reduces the speed of work
(V)Lightening or wild cat strike: in this strike, the strike is
done without any prior notice or with a shortest notice.
 SECONDARY STRIKES
A secondary strike is a strike by a body of workers for the purpose of supporting a
cause or another group of strikers
These strikes are sympathetic strikes (describes or shows someone that they
understand and care about someone’s (employees) sufferings.
REASONS FOR STRIKES
 1.LOW PAY
Employees may strike due to low pay, they want to
be paid fair and equitable remuneration. If they
believe that they need to be paid more but the
employer does not agree, it may results to strikes
Example: striking due to issues of overtime
payments, difference in salary pay sometimes for
people with the same knowledge.
Also in times of inflation, wages a likely to seek
increase in salary to maintain their standard of
living.
2.BAD WORKING CONDITIONS
Employees strike for improvement of their working conditions. Working
conditions relates to health and safety at work place.
If production tools are not safe, poor or fewer than the actual work to be
done daily, if there are fewer or no protection tools such as coats and
gloves. Workers may strike to demand sufficient tools needed.
3.DISSATISFACTION ON ISSUES RELATED TO
MANAGEMENT/COMPANY POLICIES
Dissatisfaction of policies includes policies related to leave entitlement
such as sick leave, holiday leave, promotion and redundancy.
For example strike due to demand for leave pay; if companies do not pay
their employees when they are on leave, or unsatisfactory payment
related to leave then workers may strike
4.UNFAIR TERMINATION OF EMPLOYEES
If termination of employment is not of proper reasons, such employment
termination based on discrimination on color, sex or tribe, termination
without following proper procedures , or termination of employees who are
exercising labour rights then employees may strike
5.EXCESSIVE WORKING HOURS
If employees are working more than established hours set by the
government as per industrial relation and labour act, Also if there is no
overtime payments for such excessive hours work it will results to strikes
6.NO RESPONSE FROM MANAGEMENT INSPITE OF REFERING A
DEMAND AND ISSUING A REMINDER OF A CERTAIN MATTER THAT
NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED
If there is a dispute between employees and management in which
employees believe there is a need for change on a certain matter and
management has been notified, reminded of such demand, yet
management do nothing( I.e. no response from management).
Employees may strike to get their demands settled
7.DIVERTION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
When management goes against the collective agreement between them
and employees, it may result to strike.
8.DISCRIMINATION
The existence of discrimination highly encourages strikes .
Example if part wages were treated more fairly than fulltime wages in
terms of payment, wages may strike to demand an equal pay for both
fulltime and part time wages
9.AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR OF MANAGER TOWARDS
EMPLOYEES.
Most managers do not consider employees, they just look on their own
side.
For example managers may use abusive languages to their employees
and sometimes even hit workers that in return create a desire for
revenge on workers towards management.
Also the behavior of managers to discourage labour unions and their
rights contributes towards strike.
10.POOR COMMUNICATION
The lack of transparency between management and employees due to
levels of hierarchy between them can lead to strike as matters may take
time to be solved due to the presence of slower or poor communication
between employees and management.
ADVANTAGES OF STRIKES
 1.IT HELPS WORKERS IN NEGOTIATION
Due to strikes employer will be under pressure fearing the impact/results of a
strike, hence it will force the employer to negotiate with the trade union in
order to provide better deal for workers
2.IMMEDIATE REALIZATION OF WORKER’S DEMAND
Through strikes , demands of employees can be full field immediately because
employer worries about losses that the company will face due to strike.
Example poor company image, lost of sales and profit from the lost output.
3.TO PROTECT WORKERS ABOUT UNFAIR ACTIONS
Through strikes workers can prevent themselves about unfair actions.
Example; protection against unfair termination, unsatisfactory remuneration
and poor working conditions
4.IT BRINGS DEMOCARCY
Strikes gives power, authority for workers to plan something. it enable workers
to participate in management decision making
DISADVANTAGES OF
STRIKES/DYSFUNCTIONAL OF
STRIKES
1.POOR WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND
LABOUR
Strikes results to poor working relationship, the damaged relationship with
the staff/labours may adversely affect motivation and productivity of
employees.
2.DISTURBANCE OF PEACE ON A SOCIETY
Strike can result to peace disturbance , it may involve engaging the police
to ensure that there is no harmful to the society. Individuals may be
arrested if they are practicing restricted acts of strikes.
Due to strike people’s life are at risk, It can lead to physical injury or death
due to violence of strike.
3.IT AFFECT THE ECONOMY OF THE COUNTRY
Through strike there may be damage to national properties which may
need repair in the future.
There is also revenue loss to country since the companies no longer
continue its activities, hence there will be no wages to employees, Also
no production/sales for company hence no taxation for the company
4.TOURISM INDUSTRY AND SMALL BUSINESS ARE AFFECTED
Tourists gets bad impression when they see the evil of strikes, tourist may fear for
their safety which in turn causes loss of lots of revenue to the country.
Small business are also hit by these strikes since they heavily depend on their
daily sales or turnover. Due to strikes it will results to loss of sales by these
business
5.IT AFFECTS ON THE PROVISION OR AVAILABILITY OF SOCIAL
SERVICES
Due to strikes there may be problems with transportation system as
workers may go in the middle of the roads. This can result to inability of
patients not to reach hospitals on time and have horrible outcomes.
Also on education side, schools and colleges may be closed due to strike
for the fear of safety if the strike is happening near the education institute.
6.IT AFFECTS THE CONSUMERS
Due to strike there may be scarcity of goods, rise in prices and effect on
the quality of goods
7.THERE IS ADVERSE EFFECT ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Strike can cause fall of exports and rise in imports
8.Wastage of time
EFFECTS/DISADVANTAGES OF
STRIKE TO WORKERS
1.LOSS OF WAGES
Employees do not work when they are on strike, hence no income
generation on their side but simply just small allowances from
the union.
2.PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH DUE TO VIOLENCE DURING
STRIKE
During strikes normally people’s live are at risk, a strike often turns
into violent protests and people get injured. The injuries may
become so serious that results to loss of lives.
3.ADVERSE EFFECT ON CARRIER
A strike has an impact on employee’s carrier, employees may be
perceived differently with other employers due to the strike. A
strike can also lead to potential job losses.
4.Poor relationship between employee and employer
5.Economic losses
EFFECTS/DISADVANTAGES OF
STRIKES TO EMPLOYER
1.Damages to machines and equipments
2.It impacts the image of the company
3.Poor relationship between employer
and employee. The damaged
relationship affect the motivation and
productivity of employees
4.Decreased profit since there is no
production
5.Burden of fixed expenses
DISADVANTAGES/EFFECTS OF
STRIKE TO CONSUMER
1.Rise in prices
2.Scarcity of goods
3.Bad effect on quality of goods
DISADVANTAGES/EFFECT OF
STRIKE TO THE GOVERMENT
1.Loss of revenue, i.e income tax
and VAT
2.Lack of order in a society
3.Blame by different parties
 LOCKOUTS

DEFINITION
A lockout is a temporary work stoppage of
employment initiated by the management of the
company during a labour dispute.
Factory lockout is the ultimate weapon in the hands
of management when uncontrolled situation arise in
the factory.
The major objective of lockout is to force employees
to agree to employer demands.
REASONS FOR LOCKOUTS
1.Dispute between workers and management. It may arise due to
unsatisfied working conditions such as lower bargaining power
2.Failure in maintaining proper industrial relations.(industrial peace
and harmony)
3.Continuous or accumulated financial losses of industry can lead
to opt for lockout by the management
4.If there is illegal strikes, continuous strikes by workers, it may
lead to lockout of an industry
5.If there is unrest, dispute between workers and workers. For
example workers in the same department having same
experience and education being paid differently a dispute may
arise among them due to payment differences. This can result to
poor work performance leading to inability to achieve
organizational objectives.
Generally lockout is used to enforce terms of
employment upon a group of employees during a
dispute.
A lockout can be used to force unionized workers
to accept changed conditions such as lower wages,
promotion conditions, work hours and so on.
For example if a union is asking for higher wages,
better benefits. An employer may use the threat of
lockout or an actual lockout to convince the union
to back down
WEAPONS USED BY EMPLOYER’S TO GET EMPLOYEES AGREE TO
THEIR CONDITIONS
1.Lockout
2.Strike breakers
3.Relocation: company moves the factory to a location that has a weaker or
non existent union
4.Yellow dog contract: Agreement between employee and employer that
employee will not join a trade union

WEAPONS USED BY EMPLOYEES TO GET THEIR DEMANDS AND

NEEDS ACCEPTED BY THE EMPLOYER
1.Strikes
2.Boycots:Workers and sympathizers refuse to buy the products of a
company which is in a dispute with its workers.
3.Political influence
4.Sabotage: Malicious destruction or willful waste of company properties.
5.Check off: Deduction are regularly taken from workers pay check to cover
union dues
6.Collective bargaining
7.Lobbying: union efforts to influence law makers