Factory owners have several tactics they can use to counter a strike:
-
Waiting it Out: Owners can choose to wait for the strikers to exhaust their financial resources. As workers deplete their savings and are unable to sustain themselves without income, they may feel pressured to return to work.
-
Hiring Strikebreakers: Owners can hire replacement workers, often referred to as strikebreakers or scabs. This tactic aims to maintain production and mitigate financial losses while the strike is ongoing.
-
Public Relations Campaign: Owners can engage in a public relations campaign to shape public opinion against the strikers or in favor of the company's position. This might involve highlighting the negative impacts of the strike on the community or customers.
-
Legal Action: Owners might pursue legal means to limit the strike’s impact, such as obtaining injunctions to prevent picketing or to compel workers to return to work under certain conditions.
-
Negotiation: While it may seem counterintuitive, some owners might choose to negotiate with union representatives to reach a compromise, especially if the strike poses a significant threat to the business.
-
Reducing Hours/Pay: In response to a strike, owners might implement temporary reductions in hours or pay to lessen the financial burden on the company and incentivize workers to come back.
-
Using Technology: Implementing automation or technology to reduce reliance on the striking workforce can be a longer-term strategy to mitigate the impact of strikes.
These tactics can vary in their effectiveness and ethical implications, and the choice of strategy may depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the strike and the relationship between the owners and workers.