Secondary picketing is a term used in labor disputes where workers picket businesses that are not directly involved in the dispute. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced "ˈsɛkənˌdɛrɪ" with the stress on the second syllable. The second syllable contains the root word "pick" with the suffix "-et," creating the sound "ˈpɪkətɪŋ." Together, they form the compound word "ˈsɛkənˌdɛrɪ ˈpɪkətɪŋ." This spelling accurately represents the phonetic sounds of the word.
Secondary picketing refers to a form of protest or demonstration where workers from one company target and picket another company that is not directly involved in their own labor dispute. This type of picketing occurs when employees, either from the same industry or a related one, picket a company in order to exert indirect pressure on their own employer, usually in response to a labor dispute or conflict.
The objective of secondary picketing is to create economic pressure on an uninvolved company by disrupting their operations, hoping that this will prompt the targeted company to influence or intervene in negotiations with the primary striking employer. It is generally carried out by labor unions or workers' organizations with the intention of gaining support and solidarity from other workers or trade unions.
However, secondary picketing is often subject to legal and regulatory restrictions in many countries, as it can disrupt the smooth conduct of business activities and can be considered coercive or unfair. Laws surrounding secondary picketing vary across jurisdictions, with some countries prohibiting it altogether, while others impose certain conditions or restrictions on its practice.
Overall, secondary picketing is a tactic employed by workers or labor unions to indirectly apply pressure on a company that is not their primary employer, with the aim of achieving their own labor-related goals.
The term "secondary picketing" is a combination of the words "secondary" and "picketing".
The word "secondary" is derived from the Latin word "secundarius", which means "following" or "second in rank". In English, it has been used since the 16th century to refer to something that is of lesser importance, subordinate, or supplementary.
"Picketing" originally referred to the military practice of placing soldiers in a chosen location as a defensive measure. In a labor context, picketing emerged in the 19th century and refers to the act of workers patrolling outside a workplace, usually during a strike or labor dispute, to protest employment conditions, persuade non-union workers to join their cause, or deter others from crossing the picket line.