Secondary Boycott

Definition

A secondary boycott is a union boycott of products, goods, or services that are indirectly related to a primary employer by preventing their use, purchase, or transportation. The union’s objective in a secondary boycott is typically to pressure a primary employer involved in a labor dispute to stop doing business with another person or entity. This type of boycott is often utilized as a strategy to amplify the union’s bargaining power by extending the conflict to secondary parties who may have business relations with the primary employer under dispute.

Examples

Supplier Disruption: A union on strike against a manufacturing company encourages a boycott of that company’s raw material suppliers to disrupt production further and pressure the company to meet its demands.
Retail Opposition: Workers of a shipping company in dispute urge consumers not to purchase goods from retailers who rely on the shipping company for their supplies, intending to create economic inconvenience.
Service Denial: A union targets a logistics company by influencing its clients to cease using its services, thus pressuring the logistics company to resolve the labor dispute with the union.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the primary purpose of a secondary boycott?

The primary purpose of a secondary boycott is to exert additional pressure on a primary employer involved in a labor dispute by disrupting business relations and transactions with secondary parties, thereby compelling the employer to negotiate or meet the union’s demands.

Is a secondary boycott legal?

In many jurisdictions, secondary boycotts are restricted or prohibited under certain labor laws. For example, the Taft-Hartley Act in the United States imposes significant limitations on the use of secondary boycotts by unions.

How does the Taft-Hartley Act affect secondary boycotts?

The Taft-Hartley Act, formally known as the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, prohibits unions from engaging in secondary boycotts. The law aims to restrict union practices deemed unfair and to balance power in labor-management relations.

Can consumers participate in a secondary boycott?

Consumers can choose to participate in a secondary boycott by refusing to purchase products or services from companies targeted by the union. However, the legality of coordinated consumer participation may vary based on jurisdictional labor laws.

What are the potential consequences of participating in a secondary boycott?

Primary and secondary parties involved in a secondary boycott may face legal challenges, financial losses, and reputational damage. Unions might be subject to injunctions or fines if found to be in violation of labor laws regulating boycotts.

Primary Boycott: A union-led boycott that directly targets the employer involved in a labor dispute to force negotiations or concessions.
Strike: The refusal to work by a group of employees as a form of protest to obtain better wages, working conditions, or other employment terms from their employer.
Picketing: The action of standing or marching near a business or worksite to protest labor conditions, often accompanied by signs, chants, and demonstrations.
Collective Bargaining: A process where employers and unions negotiate to reach agreements on wages, working conditions, benefits, and other employment terms.
Labor Union: An organization representing workers in collective bargaining and negotiations with employers regarding labor-related issues.

Online References

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) - Governs labor disputes and enforces labor laws in the United States.
Taft-Hartley Act Overview on Legal Information Institute - Provides detailed information about the Taft-Hartley Act.
AFL-CIO on Secondary Boycotts - A major federation of unions with resources on various labor actions including secondary boycotts.

Suggested Books for Further Studies

“Labor Law: Cases, Materials, and Problems” by Roger I. Abrams - A comprehensive textbook exploring labor laws and the legal environment of labor relations.
“Taft-Hartley: A Study in the Decline of Worker Power” by Karl Klare - An in-depth analysis of the Taft-Hartley Act and its impact on labor unions.
“Labor Relations in the Public Sector” by Richard C. Kearney and Patrice M. Mareschal - Focuses on labor relations and laws in the public sector, including discussions on various types of boycotts.

Fundamentals of Secondary Boycott: Labor Laws and Employment Relations Basics Quiz

### What is a secondary boycott? - [ ] A primary boycott of employer goods - [ ] A consumer-led boycott of products - [x] A union boycott of products indirectly related to a primary employer - [ ] A government-imposed sanction > **Explanation:** A secondary boycott is a union boycott of products, goods, or services that are indirectly related to a primary employer in order to exert additional pressure on that employer through secondary business relationships. ### What does the Taft-Hartley Act prohibit regarding secondary boycotts? - [ ] Promotion of secondary boycotts by consumers - [x] The use of secondary boycotts by unions - [ ] Secondary boycotts conducted by employers - [ ] All forms of boycotts > **Explanation:** The Taft-Hartley Act restricts the use of secondary boycotts by unions, making many forms of these boycotts illegal under U.S. labor law. ### What is the main objective of a secondary boycott? - [ ] To enhance consumer advocacy - [ ] To encourage competitive pricing - [ ] To support foreign trade - [x] To force an employer to stop doing business with another entity > **Explanation:** The main objective of a secondary boycott is to force an employer to stop doing business with another company or person to increase pressure during a labor dispute. ### Which law restricts the use of secondary boycotts in the United States? - [ ] Wagner Act - [ ] Fair Labor Standards Act - [x] Taft-Hartley Act - [ ] Occupational Safety and Health Act > **Explanation:** The Taft-Hartley Act, also known as the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, imposes restrictions on the use of secondary boycotts by unions in the United States. ### In which scenario would a secondary boycott typically be used? - [x] When a union is in a dispute with an employer and targets companies that do business with that employer - [ ] When consumers complain about product quality - [ ] When a company wants to promote its products - [ ] When a business changes its pricing strategy > **Explanation:** A secondary boycott is typically used when a union is in a dispute with a primary employer and targets secondary companies that have business relationships with that employer to amplify pressure. ### What is the difference between a primary and secondary boycott? - [ ] A primary boycott is more intense - [x] A primary boycott directly targets the employer in dispute, while a secondary boycott targets companies indirectly related to that employer - [ ] A secondary boycott is only used for personal grievances - [ ] A secondary boycott is a local government action > **Explanation:** A primary boycott directly targets the employer involved in a labor dispute, whereas a secondary boycott targets entities indirectly related to the primary employer. ### Can consumers be legally coerced into participating in a secondary boycott? - [ ] Yes, unions can legally force consumers to join - [x] No, consumer participation must be voluntary - [ ] Only in certain states - [ ] If there is a government mandate > **Explanation:** Consumers cannot be legally coerced into participating in a secondary boycott; their participation must be voluntary as it pertains to individual choice. ### Which organizations can enforce the laws against secondary boycotts? - [ ] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - [ ] Department of Commerce - [x] National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) - [ ] Food and Drug Administration (FDA) > **Explanation:** The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) enforces laws against secondary boycotts and ensures compliance with labor laws such as the Taft-Hartley Act. ### What year was the Taft-Hartley Act, which limits secondary boycotts, enacted? - [ ] 1935 - [ ] 1965 - [ ] 1985 - [x] 1947 > **Explanation:** The Taft-Hartley Act was enacted in 1947 to amend the National Labor Relations Act and implement restrictions on union activities, including secondary boycotts. ### Who benefits from the restrictions on secondary boycotts? - [ ] Only government agencies - [ ] Unions - [ ] Consumers - [x] Employers and businesses > **Explanation:** Employers and businesses benefit from the restrictions on secondary boycotts, as these limitations prevent unions from exerting indirect pressure through secondary relationships and help stabilize business operations.

Thank you for engaging with our in-depth discussion on secondary boycotts and completing our pertinent quiz. Your continued study of labor laws and employment relations will be instrumental in understanding these critical labor dynamics!