What Is Picket Line Etiquette?
Picket line etiquette refers to how a striking workforce should behave on the picket line. Good picket line etiquette includes respect for the public while adhering to all local laws. Picketers are allowed to slow vehicle and foot traffic and have a legal right to peaceful demonstrations in Canada. Picket line security services can ensure everyone involved behaves appropriately.
What Are the Rules of Picketing?
Picketers are not allowed to touch or damage those crossing a picket line, or vehicles of vendors or executives entering the job site. Typically, striking workforces and their employer agree to rules before official strike action, including how long picketers can slow traffic.

What Security Risks Occur on Picket Lines?
Should a member of the public refuse to stop for a picket line, striking workers are likely to react negatively. When vehicles attempt to cross a picket line without waiting as instructed, pushing through the picket line can result in personal injuries to workers themselves. Picket line violence can also occur, where heckling and rude comments lead to physical altercations between picketers and the general public.
What Does It Mean When a Picket Line Becomes Heated?
Striking workforces can at times be very passionate about their demands, and often angry about their working arrangements. When picket lines become heated, it means that emotions are running high and picketers become far less patient with the public and their employer. At times, picketers may be tempted to damage company property, and public vehicles, or push and shove those attempting to cross a picket line.
What Does Being on The Picket Line Mean?
Being on the picket line means that a workforce has organized and is taking political action to pressure their employer for improved employment deals. This demonstration of solidarity may bring public attention to their cause, or prevent the employer from conducting business as usual.
How Long Can a Picket Line Hold You?
The length of time a picket line can force a member of the public to wait is unique to each labor dispute. Picketers could hold people for anywhere from five minutes or much longer.
Can Employees Refuse To Cross A Picket Line?
Yes.
Employees in North America can refuse unsafe work and an employee can decide for themselves whether or not they feel comfortable crossing a picket line. Employers will need to facilitate safe travel to the job site during a labor dispute. AFIMAC can provide traditional security guards and secure transportation solutions to assist with such issues.
Who is Not Allowed to Strike in Canada?
Legal strike action in Canada calls for workforces to formally unionize. Some workforces can also be legislated back to work by the Canadian government. Usually, workers of any kind are allowed to formally union and also picket their employers.
Who Is Not Allowed to Strike in The United States?
Workforces in the United States who are not formally unionized typically do not have a legal right to strike against their employer.
Are Picketers Allowed to Block Traffic?
Yes. Picketers can either block vehicle traffic or public foot traffic entering and out of a job site.
For What Purpose Does the Law Allow Picketing?
Picketing helps workforces push for better employment deals with their employer. Collectively bargaining with an employer can put pressure on their employer to improve pay, benefits, or work conditions. Picketers have a legal right to peaceful protest, political demonstration, and creating a picket line surrounding a job site. When picketing occurs, productivity comes to a slow, and an employer’s business continuity is impacted.
What Can Picket Line Security Offer?
Carefully plan for security risks and deploy security guards to maintain peace at all times. Such services also include private investigators who can document the actions of striking workers and send a message that bad behavior will not be tolerated.
AFIMAC Global remains committed to assisting employers with their picket line security needs while ensuring the safety of the workforce and the general public. We proudly serve governments and private corporations across North America, bringing resources to you when they are needed. Contact us via email by filling out the form below.