Legal Definitions - rattening

Rattening refers to a historical practice, primarily associated with labor disputes, where individuals would intentionally damage, disable, or remove a worker's tools or a company's equipment. The primary goal of such actions was either to pressure a worker into joining a labor union or to compel an employer to adhere to specific union demands or rules. This tactic was considered a criminal offense in many jurisdictions where it was practiced.

• Example 1: Pressure on an Individual Worker

  A skilled carpenter, Mr. Henderson, works independently and chooses not to join the local carpenters' union. One morning, he discovers that the specialized hand tools he relies on for his intricate work have been deliberately broken or stolen from his workshop. This act occurs shortly after union representatives had approached him, urging him to join and warning of "consequences" if he didn't.

  This illustrates rattening because Mr. Henderson's tools were intentionally damaged or removed, and the clear purpose was to coerce him into joining the union, thereby preventing him from working until he complied or replaced his tools.

• Example 2: Pressure on a Company for Compliance

  During a contentious negotiation between a manufacturing company and its unionized workforce over new safety protocols, several critical machines on the factory floor are found to have been tampered with overnight. Essential parts are missing, rendering the machines inoperable and halting production. This sabotage directly impacts the company's ability to meet its production quotas, putting pressure on management to concede to the union's demands regarding the new safety standards.

  Here, the destruction or disabling of the company's machinery constitutes rattening. The intent was to enforce the union's rules or demands (regarding safety protocols) by disrupting the company's operations and creating economic pressure.

• Example 3: Competitive Pressure in a Local Market

  A small, non-unionized landscaping company wins a significant contract that a larger, unionized competitor had also bid on. Shortly after starting work, the small company's primary commercial lawnmowers and a crucial mini-excavator are found vandalized, with engines damaged and tires slashed, making them unusable. There's suspicion that this was done to hinder their ability to complete the contract, potentially by individuals associated with the rival unionized company or a local union aiming to establish dominance in the area.

  This scenario demonstrates rattening as the essential equipment of the landscaping company was intentionally damaged. The underlying motive could be to enforce union dominance in the local market or to pressure the non-union company to either unionize or withdraw from the contract, aligning with the historical purpose of rattening.