American History: Strikes & Unions Terms

Strike

Workers refuse to work until their demands are met

Boycott

Refusal to buy goods from certain stores

Arbitration

Labor and management agree in advance to terms set by a third party

Mediation

A third party tries to negotiate between labor and management and suggests terms that they might agree on

Lockdown/lock-out

Employer closes factory and doesn’t allow workers to enter because of the potential for violence by strikers

Scabs/strike-breakers

Workers who cross the picket line to take striking workers jobs

Collective bargaining

People organize into a union and select leaders who meet with management to review working conditions, wages, and benefits

Pinkertons

A private security agency whose purpose was to stop strikers from damaging company property

Blacklisted

Someone’s name is put on a list and shared with other employers, who won’t hire them

“Yellow-dog” contract

Potential employees had to sign this agreement that stated that they wouldn’t join the union before they were hired. If they later joined, they were fired. These contracts are illegal today

Closed shop

A company that requires people to join their labor union if they get hired

Open shop

A company that allows people to choose whether or not to join their labor union if they get hired

Workers’ compensation

If a worker is injured on the job, they will receive payment for time off work and their medical bills will be covered