Strikes and lockouts: The need to separate labour conflicts

Abstract

Quantitative research on labour conflicts has offered innumerous insights into the workings of labour markets. With few exceptions this research is about conflicts, that is, strikes plus lockouts. The current situation is the result of practical difficulties separating strikes and lockouts, unwillingness by statistical bureaus to make the distinction, and the recommendation by leading scholars to refrain from distinguishing between the two types of conflicts. This article demonstrates that strikes and lockouts are not only theoretically distinct, their empirical manifestations differ. Employers and employees struggle over influence and division of income. Occasionally the two parties use, or threaten to use, their respective tools: the lockout and the strike. As long as the scientific community treats employers and employees as separate categories, we should also do the same with lockouts and strikes.