The world is running on its power to produce goods that facilitate the lives and existence of the humans across the world society. The society has come a long way after the industrial revolution that took the world by a storm. The entire foundation of the society is based on the labor relations and the intertwined relationship between the labors and the bourgeoisie. While the bourgeoisie invests huge amounts to run factories, industries and production houses, the labors are the most important part of the production structure who toil hard day in and day out for the sake of production. As such, the issue of strikes by the labors has to be reckoned for a proper comprehension of the dynamics between the labors and the capitalists. According to Rachleff, strike can be described as the stoppage of work that is caused by the mass refusal of the employees to work in the production centers. Strikes became quite a common thing from the time of the industrial revolution. However, in most of the countries, strikes were illegal.
One can trace back the strikes to the time of the industrial revolution. The term was originally used originally was used in 1768, when sailors “struck” the topgallant sails of the merchant ships at the port. Presently, it is commonly understood to mean “work stoppage” or “industrial dispute.” If one aims to trace back the roots of strikes, it can be noted that the very first strike in the history of the world happened under Pharaoh Ramses III in Egypt on 14 November 1152 BC. Thus, it can be very well opined that the pre-industrial existence of strikes testifies the fact that the friction between the workers and the powerful people is a commonality that stretches across the timeline of human history.
It has to be reckoned that at the time of the industrial revolution, strikes went on to become a feature of the political landscape. Strikes were held in opposition to the oppression of the capitalists who would exploit the workers of the industries. Strikes also signified the unity among the apparently powerless people of the society, and it can be opined that strike was one of the most powerful tool in the arsenal of the workers during this period in history. A huge number of people belonged to the industrial working class, and they united to raise their voice against the rich bourgeoisie who would exploit them in their workplace.
It was in the year 1842, when the dismal working conditions in the industries pushed the workers to the limit of their patience and passivity. They had worked day in and day out without being paid up to the mark, and now the challenging working condition was too much to take for the workers. When the owners of the industries went on to turn a deaf ear to the appeals of the workers, they came together to call the very first modern general strike in the history of the world. After this juncture, strike came up to be seen as the biggest weapon in the hands of the working class people to shake the bourgeoisie from the comforts and grandeur of their palatial houses so as to be aware of the demands and plights of the poor workers. The unity and collective strength of the workers of the industries showed that their force as a key player in the industrial system was to be reckoned with utmost importance.
During the late 19th and early 20th century, collective bargaining came up to be one of the key characteristics in the labor-owner relationship that played its role in running the industries across the society. It was in the year 1937 that the greatest strike wave in the labor history of America was seen. This made the governance understand the prime importance of having laws in the nation state that could play the key role of regulating the actions of the labors. Thus, the government aimed to control such disruptions that threatened to impede the production in the industries and incurred losses for the investors and owners of the businesses. With time, the dynamics between the workers and the owners of the industries has seen some change with lesser friction being the positive thing in the domain of work.
According to Chand, Even in the modern day scenario where both the parties in the dynamics of industrial production wish to continue without any possible clash of interests, strikes are seen as a useful thing for the labors across the society in times of their desperation in the face of the pressure and insensitivity of the bourgeoisie. It would be correct to opine that strike is the very last resort undertaken by labor unions during collective bargaining process. One has to take into account the fact that the labors are made to sign contracts that include the no-strike clauses. This action on the part of the industrial authorities has worked to make the strikes a rare case in the modern day scenario of the labor relations of the world. Thus, it would be apt to opinionate that the nature and frequency of strikes have seen a transformation in the course of time as per the changes in the socio-economic policy and condition of the nation states.
A close inquiry into the nature of strikes would enable one to comprehend the types of actions that are undertaken by the labors to voice their protest in the face of adversities. Apart from seizure of the work process in the industries or factories, strikes may consist of picketing. In this form of protest, the laborers unite together outside their place of work or the production house. The workers congregating outside the workplace endeavor to dissuade people from entering the place. Apart from this, picketing is a form of strike that goes on to draw much public attention, thereby providing the workers a chance to voice their grievances in a better way with utmost attention being given to them. Another form of strike is known as sit-down. In this process of civil disobedience, the organized group of people working in the factories takes the possession of the entire place of work by simply sitting down. This technique of strike has been in use since the inception of the 20th century, and it has been practiced in nations like Poland, Italy, America, France, and so on. On the other hand, work-in involves direct action as the workers whose employments are at stake opt to remain in the very place of work so as to continue the production without any sort of pay. This form of strike intends to highlight that the place of work is viable and can be managed well by the workers themselves. Apart from this, work-to-rule can be described to be an industrial action where the workers do only that much work that is minimally required by their contract. Thus, this process causes a slowdown in the production. Thus, the various forms of protest find expression in the subversive actions of the workers when they opt for resorting to strikes to meet their demands.
According to the New World Encyclopedia article, “Strike” (2007), since strikes and disruptions at the workplace are seen as a major threat to the economy and prosperity of the nation state, laws have been passed to regulate the dynamics of the owners of the industries and the workers. One of the major laws in the domain of action is the United States labor law. Apart from this, the National Labor Relations Act is another major foundation that regulates the labor-owner relationship in the industries of the country. The laws aim to ensure the rights of the labors and at the same time curb the unfair labor practices of the workers that impede the production and harm the economy. The National Labor Relations Board is another important body that has a major role to play in this domain of activity in the country of America. Thus, it can be understood that the United States of America aims to control the situation by setting forth significant laws and regulations that are supposed to set the parameters of conduct by the labors across the country.
In conclusion, it can be opined that in spite of the endeavor of the nation states to curb the existence of strikes in the domain of production, it still remains as one of the major ways to reach out to the governance and the authority regarding the grievances of the workers. In a world that is run by monetary power, strikes can be seen as a two-edged sword that is destructive as well as constructive at the same time. It can be used to incur losses to the owners, and it can also be used to voice the problems of workers. Although socio-political structures have changed, strikes have been one of the biggest tools for the workers of the world to raise their voice in unison.
References
Chand, Smriti. What are the Important Types of Strikes in Collective Bargaining? In
Rachleff, Peter. General Strikes: A Brief History. In libcom.org. Retrieved from
https://libcom.org/library/general-strikes-brief-history
(2007). Strike. In New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved from
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Strike
