Strike

Definition

A strike is a temporary work stoppage or refusal to work by a group of employees, typically organized by a labor union, to protest working conditions, wages, or other issues. It is a key tactic used by unions to exert market power and influence labor market outcomes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Strikes can be used by unions to leverage their market power and force employers to make concessions on issues like wages, benefits, and working conditions.
2. The threat of a strike can also be used by unions as a bargaining chip during collective bargaining negotiations with employers.
3. Strikes can disrupt the normal functioning of a business or industry, which can lead to economic losses for both the employer and the employees.
4. The legality and regulation of strikes varies by country and jurisdiction, with some places having more permissive laws and others having more restrictive ones.
5. Successful strikes can lead to improved working conditions and higher wages for employees, but they can also result in job losses, reduced productivity, and other negative consequences.

Review Questions

• Explain how strikes can be used by labor unions to exert market power in the labor market.
  • Strikes are a key tactic used by labor unions to exert market power and influence labor market outcomes. By organizing a temporary work stoppage, unions can disrupt the normal functioning of a business or industry, forcing employers to make concessions on issues like wages, benefits, and working conditions. The threat of a strike can also be used as a bargaining chip during collective bargaining negotiations, as employers may be willing to make concessions to avoid the economic losses and disruption that a strike can cause. In this way, strikes allow unions to leverage their collective power and influence the terms of employment for their members.
• Describe the potential consequences of a successful strike for both employees and employers.
  • Successful strikes can lead to improved working conditions and higher wages for employees, as employers are forced to make concessions to end the work stoppage. However, strikes can also result in negative consequences for both parties. For employees, a successful strike may lead to job losses if the employer is unable to sustain the economic losses or decides to automate or outsource work. For employers, a strike can disrupt the normal functioning of the business, leading to reduced productivity, lost revenue, and potentially long-term damage to the company's reputation and competitiveness. The legality and regulation of strikes also varies by jurisdiction, with some places having more permissive laws and others having more restrictive ones, which can further impact the consequences of a strike.
• Analyze the role of collective bargaining in the context of strikes and labor unions' market power.
  • Collective bargaining is a crucial aspect of the relationship between labor unions and employers, and it is closely tied to the use of strikes as a tactic to exert market power. During collective bargaining negotiations, unions can threaten to strike as a way to leverage their bargaining power and force employers to make concessions on issues like wages, benefits, and working conditions. The outcome of these negotiations, which are influenced by the threat of a strike, ultimately determines the terms of employment for union members. Successful collective bargaining that results in improved working conditions and higher wages for employees can be seen as a manifestation of the market power that unions have been able to exert through the strategic use of strikes. However, the balance of power between unions and employers, and the effectiveness of strikes as a tactic, can be influenced by factors such as the legal and regulatory environment, the economic conditions of the industry, and the public's perception of the labor dispute.

Related terms

Labor Union: An organization of workers that aims to protect and advance the rights and interests of its members through collective bargaining and other means.

Collective Bargaining: The process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees to determine the conditions of employment, such as wages, hours, benefits, and workplace rules.

Market Power: The ability of a firm or group of firms to influence the price, quantity, or other terms of trade in a market.