16 April 2022 4:00

What is the difference between a strike and a picket?

Strike is a cessation of work whereas picketing is assembling outside a workplace or location to prevent others from going to work. This is the key difference between strike and picketing.

How are strike and picketing related?

Picketing is a common tactic used by trade unions during strikes, who will try to prevent dissident members of the union, members of other unions and non-unionised workers from working. Those who cross the picket line and work despite the strike are known pejoratively as scabs.

What is a picket line in a strike?

A picket line is the description given to those who gather outside or near the entrance of the workplace. These include striking workers, workers locked out by their employer and trade union representatives.

Is protesting the same as striking?

As verbs the difference between strike and protest

is that strike is to delete or cross out; to scratch or eliminate while protest is (label) to make a strong objection.

What’s the difference between a picket and a protest?

As verbs the difference between protest and picket

is that protest is (label) to make a strong objection while picket is to protest, organized by a labour union, typically in front of the location of employment.

What is the purpose of a picket?

The purpose of the picket is to peacefully encourage non-striking employees and members of the public to oppose a lock-out or to support strikers involved in a protected strike. The nature of that support can vary. It may be to encourage employees not to work during the strike or lock-out.

What is picket history?

Cite More. Share Give Feedback External Websites. By The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica • Edit History. picketing, Act by workers of standing in front of or near a workplace to call attention to their grievances, discourage patronage, and, during strikes, to discourage strikebreakers.

What happens if you cross the picket line during a strike?

But crossing a picket line signals your support for the employer’s position in the dispute, reinforces the power of employers in general, and suggests that business will continue as usual regardless of how the employer deals with its employees.

Can picket lines block roads?

Pickets may not block access to the business facility, its parking fields, or its property. They may not obstruct a sidewalk, driveway, parking field, or any right-of-way from use by anyone who desires to drive, walk, or in any way enter the business picketed.

Who can picket?

Flying pickets are groups of striking workers that move from one workplace to another to picket them. Usually flying pickets are illegal – you can only join a picket line at your workplace. Trade union reps can be on picket lines at different workplaces if they’re responsible for organising workers in those workplaces.

Is picketing illegal?

Mass picketing is unlawful under federal law because large unruly crowds could be used for the purpose of intimidation. Employees are entitled to picket in small numbers outside the employer’s facilities, but they cannot block entrances or demonstrate in front of an employer’s home.

Can employees picket?

All employees – union or not – have the right to participate in a protected strike, picket or protest. You have a right to strike, picket, and protest regarding work-related issues, but there are limitations and qualifications on the exercise of that right.

What is a peaceful picket?

2(1» a new definition of peaceful picketing: “It shall be lawful for one or more persons acting on their own behalf or on behalf of a trade union or of an individual employer or firm in con- templation or furtherance of a trade dispute, to attend at or near a house or place where a person residesor works or carries on …

What are the two things that employees may not do during a picket?

A person who takes part in a picket protected in terms of the Act does not commit a delict or a breach of contract. This means that the employer may not sue a person or a union for damages caused by a picket. 2. The employer may not take disciplinary action against an employee for participating in a lawful picket.

Why don’t you cross a picket line?

Crossing or not crossing a picket line can be a highly personal decision for an employee. Crossing the line can result in harassment from picketing co-workers and, in some cases, threats of violence. But honoring the picket line can leave employees feeling vulnerable about financial and job security.

Which things may employees not do during a picket?

Picketers may not commit any action which may be unlawful, including but not limited to any action which is, or may be perceived to be violent. The strike must be a protected strike. Otherwise, provisions of Section 69 of the Labour Relations Act will not apply.

Who crosses the picket line?

Crossing a picket line occurs at any point when you go beyond the barrier that the striking members are enforcing and onto the employer’s premises. Even walking through a building or across a parking lot is considered crossing the picket line.

What are picket signs?

n. 1 a pointed stake, post, or peg that is driven into the ground to support a fence, provide a marker for surveying, etc. 2 an individual or group that stands outside an establishment to make a protest, to dissuade or prevent employees or clients from entering, etc.

What is the role of a strike?

The purpose of a strike is to compel an employer to agree to terms and conditions of employment, whereas a lockout is intended to exert similar pressure on the employees and the union.

Why is a strike called a strike?

Etymology. The use of the English word “strike” to describe a work protest was first seen in 1768, when sailors, in support of demonstrations in London, “struck” or removed the topgallant sails of merchant ships at port, thus crippling the ships.

Can I refuse to cross a picket line?

Where picketing takes place, employees not directly involved in the industrial action may refuse to cross picket lines. Such employees can normally be regarded as being on strike and treated accordingly.

Why are workers called strikes?

strike, collective refusal by employees to work under the conditions required by employers. Strikes arise for a number of reasons, though principally in response to economic conditions (defined as an economic strike and meant to improve wages and benefits) or labour practices (intended to improve work conditions).

What are types of strike?