Types of strike in industrial Relations
Types of strike in industrial Relations

Strikes are a common form of protest used by workers to express their dissatisfaction with their employers or working conditions. In industrial relations, strikes play a significant role in resolving conflicts between employees and employers. There are several types of strikes, each with its unique features and objectives of these types of strike in industrial relations.

How many types of strike are there?

There are mainly seven kinds of strike: Here’s the main types of strike in industrial relations, which include;

  1. Wildcat Strike: This is an unauthorized strike that is not sanctioned by the union representing the workers. Wildcat strikes are often spontaneous and can occur as a result of a breakdown in communication between workers and the union.
  2. Sympathy Strike: This type of strike occurs when workers from one workplace strike in support of workers from another workplace who are on strike. The aim of a sympathy strike is to show solidarity and increase pressure on the employer.
  3. Political Strike: A political strike is a form of protest used by workers to express their opinions on political issues that affect their working conditions or the wider community. Political strikes often have a wider impact than industrial strikes as they involve workers from different industries and sectors.
  4. Sit-Down Strike: This is a form of protest in which workers occupy their workplace and refuse to leave. The aim of a sit-down strike is to prevent the employer from using replacement workers or shutting down the workplace.
  5. Work-to-Rule Strike: This is a form of strike in which workers refuse to work overtime or carry out tasks outside of their job description. The aim of a work-to-rule strike is to slow down production and increase pressure on the employer.
  6. Strike Vote: A strike vote is a formal process in which workers vote on whether to go on strike. A strike vote is often the first step in a formal industrial dispute and is used to gauge the level of support for a strike among the workforce.
  7. Lockout: This is a form of industrial action taken by an employer, in which workers are prevented from entering the workplace. The aim of a lockout is to put pressure on workers to agree to the employer’s demands.

In conclusion, strikes are a powerful tool used by workers to voice their grievances and resolve conflicts with their employers. Each type of strike has its unique features and objectives, and they can be used in different ways to achieve different outcomes. However, strikes can also have negative consequences, such as loss of income for workers and disruptions to business operations, and should therefore be used as a last resort.

Similar Content: