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lockout

/ˈlɑkaʊt/
/ˈlɒkaʊt/
IPA guide

Other forms: lockouts

A lockout is a company's response to workers who are disputing conditions or planning a strike. During a lockout, managers don't allow workers to come to work until they agree to the company's terms of employment.

A lockout is sort of the opposite of a strike. During a strike, employees refuse to work until management agrees to compromise with them on issues like wages and working conditions. During a lockout, the company refuses to allow workers access to the workplace until they settle for the terms the owners and managers want to enforce. Sometimes just the threat of a lockout is enough to suppress protests and strikes.

Definitions of lockout
  1. noun
    a management action resisting employee's demands; employees are barred from entering the workplace until they agree to terms
    see moresee less
    type of:
    opposition, resistance
    the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
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