Industrial Action

Question 1

What are the two main forms of industrial action?

Answer 1

strikes
lockout

Question 2

What is a strike?

Answer 2

A strike means any action by two or more workers acting in concert which is intended by them to restrict in any way the service they normally provide to the employer or diminish the output of such service with a view to applying coercive pressure upon the employer

Question 3

What are the various forms of a strike?

Answer 3

1. sympathy strike
2. go-slow strike
3. sit-down strike

Question 4

What is a sympathy strike?

Answer 4

This strike is done to support another group of workers on strike. However, the sympathizing employees activities should not disrupt work with their employer

Question 5

What is a go-slow strike?

Answer 5

This is when workers are still working but very slow. This is a partial strike by workers which reduces their productivity at work.

Question 6

What is a sit down strike?

Answer 6

An action by striking employees to stay on or just outside their work premises to prevent resumption of work by non-striking employees

Question 7

What is the process of embarking on a strike?

Answer 7

1. The parties must have first attempt resolving the dispute using any of the dispute resolution strategies, negotiation and mediation.
2. If the parties fail to agree and dispute remain unsolved at the end of the
   arbitration process, then either party intending to take strike action or institute lockout, shall give written notice of this to the other party and the commission, within seven days after failure to agree to refer the dispute to voluntary arbitration or the termination of the proceedings.
3. Then the strike or lockout action shall proceed as planned by that party in the employment relations

Question 8

What is a lockout?

Answer 8

It is a temporary work stoppage initiated by the employer during a labour dispute. Here, employers deny employees employment during an industrial action

Question 9

What are the effects of the lockout?

Answer 9

1. An illegal lockout by an employer is liable to pay the unpaid remuneration of the workers for the period they were prevented from working.
2. A legal lockout does not affect the employment relationship between the employer and the workers
3. No civil proceedings shall be brought against the employer during the legal lockout

Question 10

An alternative form of protest is picketing, what is it?

Answer 10

It refers to outside patrolling of the employer’s premises using placards, handbills or any other form to peacefully convince customers from going into the office to transact business

Question 11

what are essential services?

Answer 11

it includes areas of work where action could result in particular or total loss of life or pose a danger to public health and safety and such other services as the Minister of Employment may by legislative instrument determine. eg. Water Supply.