NO-COST PRESENTATION
From Our Senior Leadership Team at Your Offices
Get everything you need to make the right decisions:
- Contingency Plan
- Communications Strategy
- Strike Replacement Workers
- Staffing Alternatives
Lock-in Versus Lock-out
Lock-in vs. Commuting during a Strike
Certain variables may warrant consideration of a “lock-in” scenario upon the onset of a union strike. These variables include:
- Location of operations
- Availability of resources and amenities in surrounding communities
- Anticipated level of picket line aggression
The primary purpose of a lock-in is to reduce or eliminate the crossing of the picket line by salaried workers, temporary employees, or both, by establishing on-property accommodations and amenities. Most commonly, lock-ins are a short-term solution to unruly or mass picketing, and once injunctions have been put into place and are actively enforced, all personnel are able to enter and leave the facility on a daily basis.
Lock-In of Temporary Strike Replacement Workers
Strom’s experience has shown that with proper planning and preparations, lock-in of temporary workers can usually be avoided, which translates to a cost-savings for our clients and a maintained high morale of Strom employees.
Lock-In of Salaried Personnel
The lock-in of salaried personnel presents unique challenges in maintaining morale of employees, which may affect safety and performance. It is crucial in a salaried lock-in scenario that clear assumptions and expectations are communicated to employees prior to lock-in, and that additional emphasis is placed on monitoring for any adverse affects the lock-in may generate. Remember, no salaried employee may be forced into a lock-in scenario or locked-in against his or her will.
Comparison of a Strike and Lockout
Contact us today to speak with a member of our leadership team. We would be happy to share some of our experiences regarding strikes and lockout situations.
According to Wikipedia, A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work. A lockout is purely a company decision and may happen for several reasons. When only part of a trade union votes to strike, the purpose of a lockout is to put pressure on a union by reducing the number of members who are able to work.
For example, if the anticipated strike severely hampers work of non-striking workers, the employer may declare a lockout until the workers end the strike. Another case in which an employer may impose a lockout is to avoid slowdowns or intermittent work-stoppages. Other times, particularly in the United States, a lockout occurs when union membership rejects the company’s final offer at negotiations and offers to return to work under the same conditions of employment as existed under the now-expired contract. In such a case, the lockout is designed to pressure the workers into accepting the terms of the company’s last offer.
