Playbook: Industrial Action
Industrial Action can take many forms: go-slows, public demonstrations, sit-ins, lock-outs, strikes and physical intimidation or sabotage.
Action Steps
The Team should consider adopting the actions and measures listed below depending on the nature of the dispute:
- Apply tight information security to documents, faxes and telephones:
- Consider telephone calls and discussions being overheard and faxes being read by unauthorized staff
- Is there a secure phone or fax? How are documents destroyed?
- Decide on the level of operations to be maintained by ABC COMPANY LIMITED
- Determine whether services could be provided from other locations
- Determine the key areas to be manned and the skills of non-strikers should be known to determine their ability to carry out essential work
- If it is decided to operate a reduced service, ensure full details are communicated to all parties affected, including customers
- Assess any stop-gap training measures required and draw up an implementation program
- Determine the additional security measures necessary to manage the site
- Assess the arrangements necessary to enable staff to work longer hours, including the provision of an adequate supply of food and water in buildings that may be picketed
- Review the ability of branches and offices to respond to emergencies, e.g. Fire, bomb threat, medical
- Consider suspending all applications for leave
- Agree the industrial relations and legal processes be put in place:
- Do employment laws permit the action contemplated?
- Will legal action result? Review disciplinary procedures?
- Review the security and protection provided for both office and residential premises; see the action list covering threats against property in this section
- Review the mood of employees and ensure the necessary protection is given to non-striking staff; see the action list covering threats against people in this section
- Compile confidential personal files for key staff
- If a decision is made to continue work, staff who have decided not to participate in industrial action must be notified and told what they are expected to do
- If appropriate, the authorities should be notified of the strike before it began and asked to provide assistance
- Decide how to communicate with the strikers and the extent that they should be allowed to use ABC COMPANY LIMITED’s facilities
- If striking employees stay away from the premises, make arrangements to hand over personal property, striking employees should not be allowed to enter the restricted areas in ABC COMPANY LIMITED premises
- Make provision for the orderly maintenance of essential equipment and computers, an inventory of the minimum requirements and the support manpower needs must be maintained
- Maintain a list of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all key contacts including union officials, professional advisors, the police, the media, regulators and government authorities
- Inform managers of the actions necessary to protect ABC COMPANY LIMITED’s assets g. Premises, equipment, records, data
- Consider withdrawing keys from striking staff and have them held by senior management
- Consider changing locks on external doors and shutters and access control codes
- Identify posts whether the job holder could seriously damage the interests of ABC COMPANY LIMITED through malicious action and increase supervision or redeploy
- Set up a confidential helpline where staff can report intimidation and receive the appropriate advice and help.
Goh, M. H. (2016). A Manager’s Guide to Implement Your Crisis Management Plan. Business Continuity Management Specialist Series (1st ed., p. 192). Singapore: GMH Pte Ltd.
Extracted from Appendix 6F: Industrial Action
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