A boycott is an agreement between two or more individuals to refuse to conduct business with a company or person.
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act makes a boycott unlawful if it is done to intimidate, coerce, or threaten employees or stop a company from conducting business. An example of an unlawful boycott is when two or more companies agree not to deal with another company or person. Another example of an unlawful boycott is when it is used to make markets more competitive or force a competitor to agree to terms is also illegal.
An employee strike is a type of boycott. A strike usually occurs when an employer cannot reach an agreement with a labor union. The labor union has an option to tell their union members to strike. If the workers agree, they temporarily leave their jobs. Some or all of the workers may picket outside the plant or company to show its perceived unfairness.
No. A non-union employee cannot legally strike or join an existing strike.
The union employees do have the right to strike during labor disputes. However, they cannot engage in any employment boycott that involves:
No, a lockout is another type of boycott. Instead of the employees walking off the job, the employer prohibits them from working. A lockout can occur when negotiations end between a labor union and an employer, such as a union of professional athletes and a professional athletic team. It is only legal when there is economic justification for the employer to do so.
Boycott laws are complicated, and it is very easy to engage in an illegal boycott without realizing it. If you have questions about boycott laws, contact an employment attorney for help and guidance.
Last Modified: 06-01-2015 03:27 PM PDT
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