Labor Strikes Across Publicly-Funded Workforces 

Labor strikes in public sectors pose unique risks to North American communities that have historically relied on these workers to produce a safe and efficient society. The industries that serve the public are not driven by profits, but are instead funded by taxpayers, are essential to society, and could create a number of consequences should a work strike occur. Union strikes in public sectors can challenge the infrastructure of North American communities and prompt a sharp response from the general public.

Government agencies at all levels should be planning for employee strikes, avoiding the negative press, and working to manage the risks that come from such challenges. Consider which public sector employees will strike first, and actively prepare for such complications before they cause harm to your community.

Which Public Sectors Are Primed for Labor Strikes in North America?

Inflation has caused the costs of living to soar across North America. Public and private workers are likely to experience or are currently experiencing, a crisis tied to increased housing, transportation, and food expenses. It is only a matter of time before unionized workforces seek more from their employer to address these issues and demand an improved wage that can help workers make ends meet.

Further, many publicly funded and unionized workforces are paying close attention to what other deals unions are successfully negotiating with their employers, which could prompt further labor strikes in the near and long term.

These are the public workforces that are most likely to strike in 2023 and 2024:

• Public safety sector services, including law enforcement, firefighters, correctional and prison workers, military, and border service workers.
• Teachers and educational workers, including support staff, administrators, counselors, and social workers.
• Public social services workers such as general social workers, city staff, mental health professionals, childcare, and those who work to address homelessness and drug addiction.
• Community workers, including those who work in publicly-funded elder and senior care, immigration specialists, mail delivery, and welfare.
• Healthcare workers in hospitals, long-term care, and clinics.
• Transportation and infrastructure workforces like road workers, staff in parks and recreation, construction, sewage treatment, electrical, water, and traffic workers.

Continuity Planning in Public Sectors: 

Effective long-term business continuity service planning for union strikes conducted on behalf of governments can help manage the upcoming labor challenges in 2023 and beyond. Should several sectors strike simultaneously, it could result in a disaster for your community and leave employers unable to fulfill the demands. Explore every option available to you as an employer, including union negotiation tactics that can help you strike deals that work for all parties involved in a difficult labor strike.

Contingent Workforce Solutions

Many governments can benefit from the use of contingent workforces to address union strikes. AFIMAC Global provides temporary relief for labor shortages, helping employers navigate these hurdles while negotiating directly with a union.

Considering Executive Security

When government leaders are forced to make tough decisions about their workforces, they are likely to experience backlash from the striking workforce and the general public. Picket lines, heated protests, and public demonstrations are common elements of a labor strike, especially if the strike continues for extended periods of time.

Call upon the corporate security specialists at AFIMAC to address every security risk surrounding a public sector union strike. AFIMAC can work to protect government property, along with ensuring that picket lines and striking workers are as safe as possible. Such efforts can prevent personal injuries to government employees and strike workers themselves.

Full-Services Worker Strike Solutions by AFIMAC Global

With well over 30 years of experience in the labor and union strike industry, AFIMAC Global can provide full-service solutions to governmental agencies experiencing a labor strike. Our services can be tailored to the needs of governments of all sizes, from small municipal governments to large-scale federal governments. Plan for labor strikes before they occur and leverage contingent worker services that can help guide you through the complexities of a difficult public sector strike.

Governmental entities that employ public sector workers can plan for and address union strikes in many different ways alongside AFIMAC. Develop contingency plans and negotiate head-on with your workforce with several labor and legal resources at your disposal. Fill out the form below to learn more about our offerings.