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I was recently involved with the strike security management team for what is likely to be one of the most significant strikes of this decade. As it is an ongoing strike security operation for a company that PRMG occasionally contracts with, I’m not at liberty to give very many details.

However, I will use what had been put out in the media in order to illustrate a number of strike security management topics that I touch on in the PRMG Strike Security white paper that is coming out soon.

Photo Reference

After months of trying to reach a contract with the Longshoremen (ILWU), theUnited Grain Corporation (UGC) continued to negotiate in good faith until an act of Sabotage occurred. Fortunately for UGC, they had hired a good strike security management company.

As laid out in the PRMG Strike Security white paper, sabotage is a common union tactic. Usually done out of frustration by disgruntled union employees when labor negotiations are not going their way, the goal of sabotage is to send a message to the company and gain leverage during  negotiations. The idea is that if the company does not bow to the demands of the union and give them the contract they ask for, they will continue to disrupt the company’s operations by destroying equipment.

During tense labor negotiations, sabotage and other incidents often occur.

For the company, having a strike security management company retained can help in many ways:

• Strike Security Consulting
• Investigation of incidents
• Protective security services to ensure that additional incidents do not occur

As in the current incident with the ILWU and United Grain, sabotage often forces a lockout on the part of the company in order to protect its personnel and property.

During a lockout, the company will need the services of a strike security management company to protect its interests and enforce the lockout by keeping union personnel off the property.

As always, prevention is the best remedy. The best practice to to contact a strike security management provider and have them on standby before labor negotiations become tense.

PRMG provides strike security management services.