Strikes are on the rise.
A lot that goes into preparing forand ultimately actually carrying outa strike.
Pandemic or no, employers should never be able to exercise absolute power.
Yet the idea of exercisingworkerpower is understandably daunting.
What does it take to pull off a successful strike?
Preparing for a strike
A strike wont sneak up on you out of nowhere.
It takes time and preparation to strike properly, and a proper strike is usually a last resort.
Remember: The strike is your last-ditch option.
Can I get fired for striking?
Strikes are included as one of those protected concerted activities.
In other words,according to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), most strikes are protected.
And even when the strike is over, replacement employees have a right to keep their job.
But theres no guarantee that a position will open up.
Additionally, certain kinds of strikes are not protected.
What other risks do strikes pose?
The most obvious drawback of a strike is the economic sacrifice involved.
On top of the financial risk, theres also the chance that youve miscalculated your employers response.
Have you taken measures to ensure no one replaces your labor during the strike (aka scabbing)?
If you cant hurt profits, do you have ways to exert power?
Whatever your industry, is public opinion on your side to add extra pressure to your employers?
If you feel confident about all the above, lets get into the nitty gritty of the strike itself.
How to ensure your strike is successful
So, youre going on strike.
If you dont already have a professional negotiator on your side, invest in one now.
Create aGoFundMe,Kickstarter, or some other tool to pool donations in one place.
Many unions have some sort of loan-based or financial assistance system already in place for this very purpose.
Encourage them to sign letters of support and to donate to your strike fund.
(Im hardly pro-Facebook, but theres no doubt its a viable tool for fundraising and petition-signing.)
Research your opponents
Once again: Welcome to politics.
see to it your tactics are hitting specific pressure points.
by donating to your strike fund).
Make plenty of signs that reflect clearly your demands.
Bring extra sign-making materials.
Bring acoustic noise-makers, like drums and shakers.
(Anything with an electronic speaker might land you in tricker permit territory.)
If youre by a busy street, make a sign that asks cars to honk for your cause.
Honks make you stronger.
Print out lyrics to different call-and-response chants, and pass a list of these chants out to the group.
Keep cough drops on hand, in case people lose their voices from chanting.
Prepare for inclement weather.
Maintain a sustainable pace as you walk around in circlesyou dont want to burn out after the first day.
Create a strike playlist.
Invite your friends and supporters to picket with you.
Invest in coffee, donuts, and pizza for all the strikers.
you could do it
Strikes work because of solidarity.
When workers come together as a united front, they drastically increase their power at the bargaining table.
Simply put, theres power in numbers.
