Strike and lockout

 A strike is when a group of workers in a specific industry stop working to put pressure on their employers to meet their demands regarding things like pay, working conditions, and trade practices. During a strike, the workers refuse to resume work until the dispute is resolved, but the relationship between the employer and employees still exists.

There are various causes of strikes, such as disputes over minimum wages, salary and incentive issues, dissatisfaction with company policies, working hours and breaks, holidays and paid leaves, and benefits like bonuses and provident funds.

There are different types of strikes. A hunger strike is when employees go on a fasting protest at the employer's residence to force them to address their grievances. An economic strike is when workers stop working to demand economic benefits, like higher wages and bonuses.

However, there are situations when a strike is considered illegal. It is illegal if it takes place in a public utility service or contravenes the provisions of Section 22 or Section 23 of the relevant act. It can also be illegal if it violates an order from the government.

On the other hand, a lockout occurs when an employer prevents employees from entering the workplace and doing their jobs. It is usually done as a defensive measure during a labor dispute or as a preemptive action to gain an advantage in negotiations. During a lockout, employees are not allowed to work and may be replaced by other workers hired by the employer. The goal of a lockout is to pressure the employees or their union to agree to certain conditions or concessions.

Lockouts happen for reasons such as disagreements over wages, benefits, working conditions, or the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. They are a strategy used by employers to gain leverage in negotiations or to send a message to the employees and their union.

It's important to understand that a lockout is different from a strike. In a strike, employees voluntarily refuse to work, while in a lockout, employees are prevented from working by the employer. Both lockouts and strikes are tactics used during labor disputes to advance the interests of the parties involved.