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, particularly in industrial relations, gained global prominence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as mass labor movements confronted employer resistance. Its significance was first recognized amid widespread factory closures and work stoppages, notably during major strikes in Europe and North America. Over time, international attention grew as lock-outs were increasingly documented by labor organizations and studied by scholars, highlighting their profound socio-economic impact and prompting calls for regulatory intervention.
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-out is a critical and deeply troubling issue that cannot be ignored. It disrupts lives, halts productivity, and creates unnecessary hardship for workers and their families. The practice undermines trust, damages morale, and often escalates conflicts rather than resolving them. Addressing lock-outs is essential for protecting workers’ rights, ensuring fair negotiations, and maintaining a stable, just society. We must prioritize solutions to prevent this damaging practice from continuing.
Counter-claim
The issue of "lock-out" is vastly overblown and hardly deserves the attention it receives. In reality, lock-outs are rare, easily preventable, and typically resolved without significant disruption. There are far more pressing concerns in workplaces and society that demand our focus. Elevating lock-out to a major problem is a distraction from genuine issues, and it simply does not warrant the level of concern or resources often devoted to it.
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