picketlines

Picketlines are lines of people, typically union members or supporters, who gather outside a workplace or related site to protest working conditions, wages, or company policies. They commonly display banners and signs and may engage in chants or speeches. Pickets may occur during a strike, as part of a broader organizing campaign, or as informational demonstrations about a dispute.

The primary purpose of a picket line is to deter non-striking workers, customers, and suppliers from entering the site, thereby applying economic pressure on the employer and publicizing the dispute. Picketing can also serve to inform potential sympathizers about the issues and to demonstrate solidarity among workers. Picket lines can be informational, aimed at educating the public, or promotional, supporting broader union goals. In some cases, they accompany larger strikes or other forms of protest.

Legal status and conduct vary by country and jurisdiction. In many places, peaceful picketing is protected as a form of free expression and collective bargaining activity, but limits exist to prevent harassment, intimidation, or obstruction. Rules may govern where lines can form, how long they can stand, and what actions are allowed. Blocking entrances, obstructing traffic, or threatening people is typically prohibited. Police involvement is common to manage safety and ensure compliance. Distinctions are often made between primary picketing (targeting the employer) and secondary picketing (targeting third parties), with different legal allowances.

Historically, picketing emerged as a key tactic of the labor movement in the industrial era and remains a visible method for publicizing labor disputes and supporting collective bargaining efforts.