What Is a Strike? UK vs US Industrial Action, Rolling Strikes and Lockouts Explained

What exactly is a strike — and how do strike laws differ between the UK and the United States?

In this episode of Negotiating Government, Miranda Worthington (former Director of Industrial Relations at the UK Department of Health and Social Care) and Josh Flax (former US federal mediator) explain how strikes and industrial action really work.

They explore:

• What legally defines a strike
• The difference between rolling strikes and indefinite strikes
• Strike vs lockout: how employers respond in the US
• Why public sector strikes are more common in the UK
• How collective bargaining agreements shape industrial action
• The wider economic and reputational impact of strikes

Drawing on experience from NHS strikes and US federal mediation, this episode compares UK and US labour systems and explains why work stoppages unfold so differently on each side of the Atlantic.

If you want a clear explanation of how industrial action works — and what it means for employers, unions and government — this episode provides practical insight grounded in real-world negotiation experience.

About the Podcast

Negotient is the expert adviser in managing negotiations between the public and private sectors; we advise clients in both sectors how to get the best results from their negotiations. This podcast explores the strategies and behind-the-scenes mechanics that shape successful negotiations, and the factors that drive the interests of both sides. Our aim is to help those involved in public sector negotiations understand the challenges they face — and how to overcome them to deliver better results for the public.