What is Strike Security?
Strike security services play a crucial role in safeguarding facilities and employees before and during labor disputes. Strike Security Officers receive specialized training for labor dispute situations, understanding the inherent risks and threats involved. They also collect evidence in compliance with, the National Labor Relations Act, which serves as a company’s best defense against false accusations and any incidents that may occur.
Article Brief
Strike security services and contingency planning are essential components of protecting your business during labor disputes. This article covers the importance of strike security, steps for conducting a security analysis, developing a strike contingency plan, and selecting the right strike service provider. By preparing for labor disputes, organizations can confidently navigate any unrest, safeguarding their operations, employees, and assets.
Reference sources:
U.S. Department of Labor (https://www.dol.gov/)
National Labor Relations Board (https://www.nlrb.gov/)
Society for Human Resource Management (https://www.shrm.org/)
Strike Security Analysis
During a labor dispute, organizations may face additional threats that pose risks to their operations and employees. To help mitigate these risks, a security analysis involves the following steps:
- Assessing entry and exit areas at the facility
- Identifying vulnerable areas on the site and its surroundings
- Developing a plan to ensure only authorized employees and customers access the facility
- Training non-union employees in protocols for interacting with striking union members and picket line procedures
- Coordinating security procedures with management, local and state police, and fire departments in the event of a strike
- Explaining evidence-gathering procedures for documenting misconduct or violations during a labor dispute
Developing a Strike Contingency Plan
Strike contingency planning acts as an insurance policy that protects organizations during labor disputes, enabling them to respond confidently and strategically to threats, labor disputes, or labor unrest.
What is strike contingency planning?
Strike contingency planning involves creating an operational strategy and comprehensive business continuity plan to maintain operations during a labor dispute. This planning typically occurs when a unionized company’s collective bargaining isup for renewal or after the company becomes unionized.
Strike contingency plans often include specialized labor dispute security plans. While many companies have contract security for daily operations, they may bring in Security Officers trained in the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and evidence documentation to avoid Unfair Labor Practice charges (ULPs) during a labor dispute.
Pre-strike planning considerations
A systematic approach to pre-strike planning involves proactively identifying all operational and security vulnerabilities and threats that could pose risks during a labor dispute.
An on-site needs analysis and strike contingency plan development should address areas such as:
- Union vs. non-union vendor status and contingencies for union vendors
- Stockpiling raw materials or finished goods
- Cross-dock analysis
- Replacement worker staffing levels, certifications, and experience requirements
- Security evaluations of critical areas and recommendations based on findings
- NLRA-trained strike security staffing recommendations
- Pre-strike security and operational recommendations
- Non-union employee transportation recommendations
- Picket line training for non-union employees continuing work during a labor dispute
Strike Planning, Replacement Worker Recruiting & Strike Readiness Preparations
Strike contingency planning and strike readiness have evolved significantly in recent years due to the pandemic, labor market shifts, and increased demand for traveling production, skilled trades, and warehouse workforces.
Proactive recruiting and readiness preparation are now essential for companies needing to continue operations on day one of a labor dispute. Discussions with strike agencies should begin well before the union contract expires and a labor dispute becomes imminent.
Strike Service Options
Depending on your risk tolerance and the timing of your labor dispute, companies typically offer various levels of support to match your needs.
Remote Needs Analysis
Basic strike staffing needs are assessed remotely. This may be suitable for unlikely strikes, small workforces, and unskilled personnel.
On-Site Needs Analysis & Strike Contingency Plan
The standard process for strike contingency planning includes an on-site needs analysis. Operations and security experts visit your facilities to physically assess your operations, staffing, and security needs and, develop a comprehensive
strike contingency plan. This option is appropriate if a labor dispute is possible, your operations are complex, multiple facilities are involved, or if you require a large or highly technical number of strike replacement workers.
Labor Dispute Readiness Phase
Once staffing requirements are determined, the agency assembles and maintains a standby team of fully-vetted personnel for your specific project on a position-by-position basis. This allows for rapid and efficient deployment, minimizing the deployment timeline.
This step is necessary when a strike is likely, a large number of strike replacement workers are needed, or if the required personnel are highly technical or in high demand.
Pre-Strike Deployment of Security Officers and/or Replacement Workers
Operations and/or Security Teams can be deployed before a labor dispute. Deployed personnel can be positioned visibly at the facility or stationed off-site, providing an invisible, instant response capability.
This option may be necessary if extensive on-site training is required, an immediate response is needed on day one of the strike, or to convey a high level of preparedness to the union. It’s recommended to consult a labor attorney about positioning a strike team on-site at your facilities.
Strike Security & Strike Replacement Workers
Experienced Strike Security and Replacement Worker Teams can be deployed across the United States to provide critical protection to your business during labor disputes.
Choosing the Right Strike Service Provider
Selecting the right strike service provider is essential to ensure the success of your strike contingency planning and strike readiness preparations. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a provider:
Experience and Expertise
Look for a provider with a proven track record in managing labor disputes and providing strike security and replacement workers. Their experience and expertise should extend to a variety of industries and situations.
Comprehensive Service Offerings
A suitable provider should offer arange of services, including strike security, replacement worker recruitment, on-site needs analysis, and strike contingency planning. This ensures that all aspects of your labor dispute management are covered.
Customizable Solutions
Every organization is unique, and your strike service provider should be able to tailor their solutions to your specific needs and requirements. Customizable solutions ensure that your organization’s operations and security are adequately protected during a labor dispute.
Responsiveness and Availability
Choose a provider that can respond quickly and efficiently in the event of a labor dispute. They should have the resources and personnel to deploy strike security and replacement workers rapidly, minimizing any disruptions to your business.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Ensure that your chosen strike service provider is knowledgeable about and compliant with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and other relevant labor laws and regulations. This helps protect your organization from potential legal issues during a labor dispute.
Confidently Navigate A Labor Unrest
Preparing for a labor dispute is a critical aspect of managing a unionized workforce. By investing in strike security, developing a strike contingency plan, and partnering with an experienced strike service provider you can ensure the continued success of your organization during labor disputes. This will enable you to confidently navigate any labor unrest and safeguard your business, employees, and assets.
