STRIKE

Presented by

Deepak K Ajayan

“STRIKE” has been defined in section 2(q) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 in the following words: “ ‘Strike’ means a cessation of work by a body of persons employed in any industry, acting in combination or a refusal, or a refusal under a common understanding, of any number of persons who are or have been so employed to continue to work or to accept employment.”

WHAT IS STRIKE?

A strike action is when a large no. of people used to pressure government or an Organisation to change the policy.

Strike is a very powerful weapon to get its demands accepted by a trade union or in the hand it’s the way of showing strength of a union .

The use of English word “strike” first appeared in 1768, when sailors in support of demonstration in London. removed the topgallant sails of merchant ships at port, thus crippling the ships.

According to industrial disputes act, 1947, Strike means , “cessation of work by a group of workers for the purpose of bringing pressures on their employers to accept their demands”.

TYPES OF STRIKESECONOMIC STRIKES

SYMPATHETIC STRIKES

GENERAL STRIKES

SIT-DOWN STRIKES

SLOW-DOWN STRIKES

HUNGER STRIKES

GHERAO

BOYCOTT

WILDCAT STRIKES

1. Economic strikesStrikes arise for a number of reasons, though principally in response to economic conditions.

Economic strike is conducted by the workers to improve wages , benefits or to improve work conditions and facilities provided to them.

SYMPATHETIC STRIKES

This type of strike is conducted in support of other workers who are on strike.

In this case the workers may not have direct injustice from the employer of the former union of workers.

GENERAL STRIKES

A general strike is a strike action in which a substantial proportion of the total workers in a region or country participates.

It may also be an extension of the sympathetic strike to express generalized protest by the workers.

SIT-DOWN STRIKESA sit-down strike is a form of civil disobedience in which a group of workers, usually employed at a factory take possession of the workplace by "sitting down" at their stations.

Main reason behind this is preventing their employers from replacing them with strikebreakers or in some cases moving production to other locations.

It is also called tools down or pens down strike.

SLOW-DOWN STRIKES

A slowdown is an industrial action in which employees perform their duties but seek to reduce productivity or efficiency in their performance of these duties.

It an alternative to a strike, as it is seen as less disruptive as well as less risky and costly for workers employers

HUNGER STRIKES

It is followed either by leaders or by some workers or by both for a limited period. The purpose is to create sympathy of the employer & to attract the attention of the public. It is non-violent in nature.

In this method the participants try to provoke feelings of guilt in others or the employers , usually with the objective to achieve a specific goal, such as a policy change.

GHERAO

Gherao, meaning "encirclement," is a word originally from Hindi . This type of strike is restricted to India only .

Usually, a group of people would surround a politician or a government building until their demands are met, or answers given.

It form of industrial action in India in which workers imprison their employers on the premises until their demands are met

BOYCOTT

A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest.

In this case workers decide not to use the company’s products the appealing the public to do so. It is an voluntary withdrawal of co-operation.

WILDCAT STRIKES

It is suddenly announced, without notice or at very short notice & thereafter the issues of disputes are discussed .

This type of strike action is taken by workers without the authorization of their trade union officials.

This is sometimes termed unofficial industrial action

JUSTIFIED

WHEN EXISTING FACILITIES WITHDRAWN, BENEFITS WITHDRAWN.

UNFAIR LABOUR PRACTICE BY MANAGEMENT.

NO RESPONSE FROM MANAGEMENT IN SPITE OF REFERRING A DEMAND & ISSUING A REMINDER.

UNJUSTIFIED

STRIKES LAUNCHED FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

DEMANDS ARE EXCESSIVE, NOT FEASIBLE AND UNREASONABLE

Section 26

Penalty for illegal strikes and lock-outs

Any workman who commences, continues or otherwise acts in furtherance, of, a strike which is illegal under that Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to fifty rupees, or with both. 

Any employer who commences, continues, or otherwise acts in furtherance of a lock-out which is illegal under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. 

Section 74   Report of notice of strike or lock-out

The report of notice of a strike or lock-out to be submitted by the employer under sub-section (6) of section 22 shall be sent by registered post or given personally to the Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central) appointed for the local area concerned, with copy by registered post to- 

(1) The Administrative Department of the Government of India concerned, 

(2) The Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) for the Zone, 

(3) Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), 

(4) Ministry of Labour of the Government of India, 

(5) Labour Department of the State Government concerned, and 

(6) The District Magistrate Concerned. 

Thank you