Strikebreaking

Strikebreaking refers to actions by employers to disrupt or defeat labor strikes, preserving production and managerial prerogatives. Common tactics include hiring replacement workers (often called scabs), using temporary or agency staff, outsourcing work to non-union facilities, and initiating lockouts or layoffs to apply economic pressure on strikers. Employers may also engage in anti-union campaigns, surveillance of union activity, or legal strategy such as seeking injunctions to curb strikes or picketing.

Historically, strikebreaking has roots in industrial relations during the 19th and 20th centuries in many countries. In the United States and Britain, employers used replacement labor and injunctions to weaken organizing drives and compel concessions. The practice remains controversial and is frequently cited in debates about workers’ rights, collective bargaining power, and economic efficiency.

Legal frameworks vary by country. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit certain forms of strikebreaking, including unfair labor practices, coercive tactics, and punitive dismissals. In the United States, federal and state laws address picketing, retaliation, and the use of injunctions, while other regions may permit or limit the use of replacement workers under specific conditions. The term "scab" is commonly used in labor discourse to describe workers who cross picket lines.

Impact and critique: Supporters argue that strikebreaking can prevent business collapse during labor disputes and mitigate financial harm to employees who rely on wages. Critics contend that it undermines collective bargaining, weakens unions, and can erode solidarity within the workforce and local communities.