Strikes, Lockouts and Other "Economic Weapons": Minnesota

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author:Mark Mathison, Gray Plant Mooty

Summary

• The Minnesota Labor Relations Act (MLRA) protects the right of workers to strike and to engage in other collective activity, including organizing unions, to improve their terms and conditions of employment. See Employees' Rights to Strike under the Minnesota Labor Relations Act.
• The MLRA sets forth many unfair labor practices that relate to strikes, lockouts, picketing and the use of other economic weapons. See Employees' Rights to Strike under the Minnesota Labor Relations Act.
• The most functional aspect of the Minnesota Labor Disputes Injunction Act's (MLDIA) protection is its substantial prohibition against the use of emergency court orders to prevent, stop, or control most strikes and picketing. See Minnesota Labor Disputes Injunctions Act.
• When such activities involve conduct such as violence, coercion or threats, state law does not prohibit a court from providing an order to stop or control specific conduct of that nature. See Minnesota Labor Disputes Injunctions Act.