Taking part in industrial action and strikes
Going on strike and picketing
A picket line is where workers and union reps (‘picketers’ or ‘pickets’) stand outside a workplace to tell other people why they are striking. Pickets may also ask people not to:
- do some of their usual work
- go into work
Pickets must not prevent people from going to work or doing their usual work if they want to do so.
The picketing code of practice explains the rules around lawful picketing.
Picketing and the law
It’s a criminal offence for pickets to:
- use or threaten violence, or use threatening or abusive words to cause fear of violence or provoke violence
- obstruct a road or entrance to premises to stop people or vehicles passing
- possess an offensive weapon
- intentionally or recklessly damage property
- behave violently or disorderly, or in a way likely to lead to a breach of the peace
You can have legal action taken against you if you break the law or encourage others to do so when you’re picketing. This includes:
- trespassing (trying to enter a building without permission)
- making a noise nuisance
- using threatening language or offensive material, libel or slander in leaflets, banners, placards, chants or speeches
If you break a court order banning you or your trade union from holding a picket, you could be open to further legal action (otherwise known as ‘contempt of court’).
Mass picketing
Police have special powers to stop a mass picket if they think there’s a danger of:
- serious public disorder (like a riot)
- serious damage to property
The Code of Practice on picketing says usually there should be no more than 6 people outside an entrance to a workplace.
Flying pickets
Flying pickets are groups of striking workers that move from one workplace to another to picket them. Usually flying pickets are illegal - you can only join a picket line at your workplace.
Trade union reps can be on picket lines at different workplaces if they’re responsible for organising workers in those workplaces.