What is the Difference Between Strike and Lockout?

The main difference between a strike and a lockout lies in who initiates the action and their purpose. Here are the key differences between the two:

Strike:

1. Initiated by employees or labor unions representing them.
2. Employees collectively cease work or jointly refuse to continue working to address grievances, advocate for better working conditions, or assert their labor rights.
3. Strikes are initiated to address grievances or disputes related to wages, benefits, working conditions, or other employment-related issues.
4. Strikes are often triggered by economic factors and can be used as a weapon by employees.

Lockout:

1. Initiated by employers or industry owners.
2. Employers use lockouts as a strategic move to gain an advantage during labor disputes, often involving the temporary closure of the workplace, the suspension of work, or the refusal to continue employing a group of workers.
3. Lockouts aim to pressure employees to accept specific terms or conditions related to employment, such as lower wages.
4. Lockouts can occur for both economic and non-economic reasons and can be used as a weapon by employers.

In summary, a strike is an action taken by employees to protest or demand better working conditions, while a lockout is an action taken by employers to force employees to accept their terms.

Comparative Table: Strike vs Lockout

Here is a table comparing the differences between a strike and a lockout:

Strikes are actions taken by employees to protest or demand better working conditions, while lockouts are actions taken by employers to force employees to accept their terms. Strikes involve the complete cessation of work until their demands are met by the employers, while lockouts are defined as the temporary closure of a workplace, stoppage of work, or refusal to hire. Strikes are often triggered by economic factors, while lockouts can occur for both economic and non-economic reasons.