Guide to Surviving an Employee Strike

Keep your business going

You’ll need to replace the missing employees and make arrangements for those who are still on the job to continue working safely and productively. Consider telecommuting or off-site work arrangements for non-striking workers wherever possible. For those who are out, temporary workers can be used to fill the spots.

I recommend: A picket line may scare off many ordinary temporary employees; firms such as Personnel Management Group and Modern Staffing and Security specialize in replacement staff during strikes. Some industries have sector-specific labor relations and short-term staffing specialists, such as Healthcare Contingency Staffing Services for the medical field.

Communicate with employees and the public

It’s important to reach out to your employees, address the issues and concerns that led to the work stoppage, communicate your plans to them, and persuade them to return to work and/or lessen their demands. Such communication needs to encompass both employees who are still on the job and those who are not at work, which may mean using public media channels to reach them. It’s also important to preserve goodwill by getting your side of the story out to the community, as well as keeping your customer base informed and reassured.

I recommend: Labor relations specialists such as The Burke Group and Industrial Relations Consultants can help you form and execute strike communication strategies. More local labor consultants can be found using the Online Yellow Pages.

Expedite the return to work

The shorter the work stoppage, the better for everyone. When negotiations lead to work stoppages rather than resolution, it’s time to reassess. Sometimes the help of a mediator or an arbitrator can lead to an outcome that satisfies both parties. A mediator is a neutral third party who facilitates discussions, provides a fresh viewpoint, and helps the parties find common ground, but has no binding power. An arbitrator, however, can act like a judge and order a particular resolution.

I recommend: You can find mediation and arbitration services through the National Arbitration Forum. The National Academy of Arbitrators provides an online membership list. The Association of Labor Relations Agencies provides an online directory of its members’ services, including mediation. There is also the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which provides conflict resolution support, mediation services, and arbitration referrals.