Lock-out
- Lock-outs
Nature
Lockout is a means used by industrial management to force workers to accept lower wages and worse conditions than they demand, that is, the lowering of the price of the only commodity which the workers have to offer, their labour. The factory is either closed down or operated by 'blackleg' labour and the workers are thus 'locked out'.
Background
The phenomenon of lock-out emerged as a significant global issue during the industrialization of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when employers increasingly used it as a tactic in labor disputes. Its prevalence and impact became widely recognized following high-profile incidents in Europe and North America, prompting international attention to the economic and social consequences. Over time, lock-outs have been documented and analyzed by labor organizations and scholars, highlighting their role in shaping industrial relations worldwide.
Incidence
Growth in the strength of the trade union and labour movements has made it very difficult if not impossible to use the lockout, at least in the UK, but it is occasionally still used in continental Europe.
Claim
Lock-outs are a critical problem that disrupt lives, livelihoods, and entire communities. They unfairly strip workers of their income and dignity, often used as a weapon by employers to break unions and silence demands for fair treatment. This practice deepens inequality, fuels social unrest, and undermines trust in the workplace. Addressing lock-outs is essential for protecting workers’ rights and ensuring a just, stable society. Ignoring this issue is simply unacceptable.
Counter-claim
Frankly, the issue of "lock-out" is vastly overblown and hardly deserves the attention it receives. In the grand scheme of societal challenges, being locked out is a minor inconvenience, easily resolved with a spare key or a quick call to a locksmith. There are far more pressing problems demanding our focus and resources. Elevating lock-out to a major concern is simply a distraction from truly significant issues.
Broader
Aggravated by
Related
SDG
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
- Social activity » Employment conditions » Employment conditions
Content quality
Presentable
Language
English
1A4N
D6808
DOCID
11468080
D7NID
155228
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Oct 4, 2020