Rolling strike explained

A rolling strike, also known as a rotating strike,[1] [2] is a targeted strike where some union workers strike while others continue to work. These strikes can spread to other departments or locations as negotiations escalate. Rolling strikes are used to conserve strike funds and to make strike action unpredictable for the employer.

United States

The Unite Here Local 11 labor union, which represents 32,000 hotel workers in Southern California and Arizona,[3] has used rolling strike actions in contract disputes with hotels in Southern California during the 2023-2024 Los Angeles hotel strike, with workers walking off the job at a few hotels at a time.[4]

The 2023 United Auto Workers strike also used rolling strikes,[5] initially targeting production of the Big Three's most profitable vehicles.[6] Setting negotiation timelines, UAW President Shawn Fain threatened to roll out more strikes if deals were not reached by certain deadlines.[7]

Canada

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario performed rotating strikes in February 2020[8] affecting 170,000 students through one-day strikes. Parents were compensated by the government for missed school days, putting more pressure on negotiations.[9]

References

  1. Web site: Lev . Elianna . 2023-04-17 . Canada federal workers strike: What government services will be impacted? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230417211659/https://ca.news.yahoo.com/canada-federal-workers-strike-what-government-services-will-be-impacted-181541686.html . 2023-04-17 . 2023-09-20 . Yahoo! News . en-CA.
  2. Web site: Dangerfield . Katie . 2018-10-22 . Canada Post’s rotating strikes: Everything you need to know about it Globalnews.ca . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181022190933/https://globalnews.ca/news/4580638/canada-post-rotating-strike-what-to-know/ . 2018-10-22 . 2023-09-20 . Global News . en-US.
  3. Web site: Wutschke . Marc . 2023-08-02 . Hotel Workers Have Been Carrying Out Rolling Strikes Across Southern California . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230802232020/https://jacobin.com/2023/08/hotel-workers-los-angeles-strike-wages-housing-costs . 2023-08-02 . 2023-09-20 . Jacobin . en-US.
  4. Web site: Hussain . Suhauna . Li . Helen . 2023-07-24 . Southern California's hotel worker strike rolls to new spots. Here's what's at stake . 2023-09-20 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  5. Web site: Niedzwiadek . Nick . 2023-09-14 . UAW strike ‘very likely’: What to know as auto workers and Big Three near deadline . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915213302/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/14/uaw-strike-biden-info-00115977 . 2023-09-15 . 2023-09-20 . Politico . en.
  6. Web site: Bloomberg News . Bloomberg News . 2023-09-15 . UAW strike strategy aimed at profitable vehicles, minimum impact on union funds . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108092035/https://www.ibj.com/articles/uaw-strike-strategy-aimed-at-profitable-vehicles-minimum-impact-on-union-funds . 2023-11-08 . 2023-09-20 . Indianapolis Business Journal . en-US.
  7. News: Shepardson . David . White . Joseph . 2023-09-19 . UAW to strike at more US auto plants if no progress made by Friday . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230918154420/https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/uaw-detroit-three-automakers-try-reach-deal-before-strike-widens-2023-09-18/ . 2023-09-18 . 2023-09-20 . Reuters . en.
  8. Web site: Crawley . Mike . 2020-02-06 . Teachers strike puts 950,000 kids out of school. Here's what's keeping the Ford government and unions apart . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200206114234/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-teacher-strike-etfo-analysis-osstf-oecta-1.5453447 . 2020-02-06 . 2024-03-15 . CBC.
  9. Web site: CBC News . 2020-01-20 . Ontario education minister cites 'hardship on parents' as elementary teachers start strikes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200120155439/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-teachers-strikes-rotating-begin-1.5432940 . 2020-01-20 . 2024-03-15 . CBC.