Legal Definitions - informational picketing

Informational picketing refers to a type of protest where individuals or groups stand or march near a business or workplace, carrying signs or distributing leaflets, with the primary goal of informing the public about a labor dispute, a lack of union representation, or other specific issues concerning the employer.

The key characteristic of informational picketing is its purpose: to educate and raise awareness among customers, suppliers, or the general public, rather than to directly stop business operations, deliveries, or to compel employees to cease working. It aims to influence public opinion or consumer choices by highlighting facts about the employer's practices or labor conditions.

• Example 1: Construction Site Awareness

  A local carpenters' union places picketers outside a new commercial building construction site. Their signs read, "This Contractor Does Not Employ Union Labor" and "Support Fair Wages and Benefits." The picketers do not block entrances, interfere with deliveries, or speak to construction workers entering the site. Their sole purpose is to inform passersby and potential clients that the contractor is not using unionized workers, hoping to sway public perception or future business decisions.

  This illustrates informational picketing because the union's objective is to publicize the fact that the contractor is non-union, without attempting to halt construction work or directly organize the existing workforce.

• Example 2: Retail Store Consumer Information

  A group of former employees and community activists picket outside a large retail chain store. Their signs state, "This Store Pays Sub-Minimum Wage" and "Demand Fair Treatment for Workers." They hand out flyers detailing alleged wage theft incidents by the company. They do not block customers from entering or exiting the store, nor do they try to prevent employees from reporting for work.

  This is informational picketing because the activists are informing the public about the store's alleged labor practices, aiming to influence consumer choices by raising awareness, rather than directly disrupting the store's operations or forcing union recognition.

• Example 3: Restaurant Labor Dispute

  During a contract negotiation dispute, a restaurant workers' union organizes a picket line outside a popular restaurant. Their signs clearly state, "Restaurant X: Unfair Labor Practices – Support Your Local Workers" and "We Deserve a Fair Contract." The picketers walk on the public sidewalk, ensuring that customer access to the restaurant is not impeded, and they do not attempt to stop food deliveries or encourage current staff to walk off the job.

  This demonstrates informational picketing as the union's goal is to inform the public and potential customers about the ongoing labor dispute and the employer's alleged unfair practices, hoping to generate public sympathy and pressure the restaurant through consumer awareness, without directly shutting down the business.