Is it OK to cross a picket line?

When you approach a picket line you may be asked to honor the picket line. Politely asking someone not to cross a picket line is also a legally protected activity. The decision is yours, you have the right to cross the line or honor it.

What happens if you cross a picket line?

If an employee is a union member, the union can legally impose fines if the member violates its rules. However, if the employee resigns from the union before crossing the picket line, the employee cannot be fined. This has been the law according to the U.S. Supreme Court since at least the 1960s.

What is it called when you cross the picket line?

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.

Why you should never cross a picket line?

Honoring a picket line shows your support for the picketing workers, their union, and the labor movement as a whole. Refusing to cross a picket line tells the employer that unless they end their dispute with the employees there will be no business as usual.

Is picketing illegal?

Picketing is constitutionally protected as an exercise of freedom of speech. However, picketing is subject to reasonable regulation. For example, where picketing takes place may be restricted as an unfair labor practice, or a company may be able to get an injunction to prevent irreparable injury caused by picketing.

AFIMAC - Crossing Picket Lines

Can a union sue you for crossing the picket line?

Many courts hold that unions have the power to discipline their members for crossing a picket line. Such discipline can include imposing a significant fine and that the union can collect by suing the employee in state court.

Can you be fired for striking?

Non-union staff and striking

If non-union members go on strike, they are protected from dismissal and have the same rights as union members, as long as the industrial action is lawful.

What are the rules of picketing?

Picketing is confined to public areas surrounding the employer's premises, at the designated picketing areas. As a general rule, there should be no picketing on private property or in the streets. The picket sign should never go near a gate reserved for other contractors.

Can a company fire you for protesting?

However, you can be disciplined or fired if you missed work without permission while you engaged in the protest (unless your employer never disciplines employees for missing work for any other reason). You can also be disciplined or fired if your political activities significantly disrupt your employer's business.

Where is picketing lawfully allowed?

Picketing is a way for employees to increase the pressure on their employer in order to resolve the collective bargaining dispute. Employees can only picket when the union is lawfully on strike or the employer has lawfully locked them out. Employees can only picket at the site of the lawful job action.

What is difference between picketing and strike?

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.

Do I have to tell my employer I am going on strike?

Q: Do I have to tell my employer I am going on strike? A: No. You do not have to tell your employer whether you plan to take industrial action in advance of the date when action begins as this will enable them to minimise any disruption the action is aimed to cause.

Can I be disciplined for striking?

An employee doesn't have to take part in strike action and their union isn't allowed to discipline them if they refuse.

What makes a strike illegal?

LEGAL STRIKE one called for a valid purpose and conducted through means allowed by law. ILLEGAL STRIKE – one staged for a purpose not recognized by law, or if for a valid purpose, conducted through means not sanctioned by law.

Are sympathy strikes illegal?

No. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a union must explicitly waive the right to sympathy strike in order to have a contract prohibit it. A general no strike clause does not prohibit sympathy strikes.

Can my union kick me out?

NLRB,⁽²⁶⁾ the Supreme Court held that employees have the right to resign from a union at any time, and that union rules restricting resignations are illegal.

Is it legal for the workers to picket in the situation outlined above?

Is it legal for the workers to picket in the situation outlined above? It is legal for the workers to picket in the situation given. This is because the union had been meet the company for five times and there is no progress for company to signing a new collective agreement.

Do you get paid if you strike?

Deducting pay

You do not have to pay employees who are on strike. If workers take action short of a strike, and refuse to carry out part of their contractual work, this is called 'partial performance'.

What happens if I dont want to strike?

The Union constitution provides for fines and/or assessments to be levied against any union member that either crosses the picket line or refuses to take part in strike activities. Crossing the picket line or failure to participate in the strike will result in loss of union seniority.

What are the consequences of strike?

Generally, a lengthy strike has a negative effect on employment, reduces business confidence and increases the risk of economic stagflation. In addition, such strikes have a major setback on the growth of the economy and investment opportunities.

Do all workers have the right to strike?

The right to strike is protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), but not all strikes are legal. Whether a strike is lawful depends on the purpose of the strike, whether the collective bargaining agreement includes a "no-strike" clause, and the conduct of the strikers.

Can you be dismissed for being late for work?

If you're consistently late and an agreement cannot be reached, your boss may choose to issue you with a disciplinary, which could potentially lead to dismissal. However, to do this, they will need documentary proof of any allegations, such as time sheets that prove you were late.

When can employees strike?

A strike takes place to resolve a dispute between the employees and their employer. The dispute must be about something in the employer's control, for example, wages, improved working conditions and other disputes of mutual interest. While employees have the right to strike, an employer has an option to lock-out.

Do employees have the right to protest?

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 should I bring to a picket line?

Make a sign in support of the strike; include your organization or union name. Pick up any food or drinks that you can; make sure it is easy to share, like pizza or empanadas, etc. Spread the word on social media and among your co-workers — size matters when you are facing off against the bosses.