What is a strike?
A strike is a form of collective protest used by labor unions in which union members withhold their labor in support of their demands. In California, strikes generally occur when workers are dissatisfied with their employer’s offer of wages, benefits, hours, or working conditions. A strike is often the last resort for union members, who engage in collective bargaining with their employers before deciding to take such a drastic measure. A strike typically involves a majority of a union’s members, who agree to stop coming to work until their demands are met. Strikes are usually accompanied by picket lines and may also involve boycotts of the employer’s products. In California, all strikes must comply with the California Labor Code, which establishes the rights and responsibilities of both the union and the employer. A strike can take many forms, such as a full-scale stoppage, a partial stoppage, a slowdown, or a sympathy strike, where workers at other companies take part in the protest. In most cases, unions are allowed to strike under California law as long as their actions remain peaceful and do not interfere with the employer’s production. The employer also has a right to bring in replacement workers during a strike, and the union may not attempt to prevent the employer from doing so. Ultimately, a strike is a labor dispute between a union and its employer that can have lasting implications for both sides. Though the purpose of a strike is to bring both the union and the employer to the bargaining table, the results may not always be favorable to either side.
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