What are the rules for picket lines? What you need to know when striking
Things to know before picking up your placard.
Industrial action has become an unfortunate reality for many over the last year or so.
High inflation and disputes over working conditions have led many sectors to strike, including rail workers, bus drivers, nurses, teachers, ambulance drivers, and more.
Many members of the public will have spotted picket lines outside locations like railway stations and hospitals on the days of strike action, with union members sporting banners, signs and more.
However, these aren’t just random gatherings – legislation tightly controls what can and cannot happen.
So, what are the rules for picket lines in the UK?
Here is what you need to know before picking up your placard.
What is a picket line?
A picket line is organised by striking workers outside of a place of work on the day of industrial action.
The term comes from the French ‘piquet’ – meaning a stake or pole stuck in the ground.
Gov.uk states: ‘A picket line is where workers and union reps (“picketers” or “pickets”) stand outside a workplace to tell other people why they are striking.’
Pickets may also ask people to refrain from doing or going to work.
What are the rules for picket lines?
Picket lines are governed by a Code of Practice in the UK, which details exactly what can and cannot happen.
For example, the code details that a picket should usually consist of no more than six people outside of a workplace.
It also outlaws ‘Flying Pickets’, meaning you cannot move from one workplace to another to picket multiple locations.
What you cannot do on a picket line
The code states that you may not use threatening or abusive behaviour to people walking past or crossing the picket line. In addition, you cannot:
- Block people or vehicles trying to get into the workplace which is on strike (called ‘causing an obstruction’ by police)
- Carry weapons
- Damage property
- Cause or threaten to cause a ‘breach of the peace’
- Try to block roads near the picket line (called ‘causing an obstruction to the public highway’)
- Try to stop the police who are outside the workplace from doing their job
You are also prevented from:
- Trespassing (trying to enter a building without permission)
- Making a noise nuisance
- Using threatening language or offensive material, libel or slander in leaflets, banners, placards, chants or speeches
Breaking any of these rules is a criminal offence, meaning you can be arrested for violating them.
You can also face charges for ‘contempt of court’ if you break a court order banning you or your trade union from holding a picket.
What is ‘mass picketing’?
The Code of Practice describes mass picketing as ‘whenever people seek by sheer weight of numbers to stop others going into work or delivering or collecting goods.’
It goes on to state: ‘In such cases, what is intended is not peaceful persuasion, but obstruction or harassment – if not intimidation.’
Police have additional powers for breaking up mass picketing when it presents problems like serious public disorder (rioting) or severe property damage, and police can arrest you if you do not stop picketing when asked to do so.
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