What Is Hit the Bricks?

August 25, 2024 4 min read Social Sciences History Labor Relations Strike Labor Relations Employment Industrial Actions Labor Union

A comprehensive look at the phrase 'Hit the Bricks,' commonly used to describe employees going on strike against their employer. This entry explores its meanings, origins, relevance, and implications.

Hit the Bricks: Employees Going on Strike Against the Employer

“Hit the Bricks” is a colloquial expression used to describe employees going on strike against their employer. The term evokes the image of workers leaving their workplace en masse and taking to the streets—often paved with bricks—to protest unfair labor conditions, seek better wages, or demand other workplace rights.

Etymology and Historical Context

Origins

The phrase “Hit the Bricks” finds its origins in the early 20th century, during a time when labor movements were gaining momentum in the United States and Europe. The imagery of hitting the streets, which were often made of bricks in industrial cities, resonated strongly with workers and unionists.

Historical Significance

The term has been associated with numerous significant labor strikes, such as the 1912 Bread and Roses strike and the 1936–37 Flint sit-down strike. These movements were pivotal in shaping labor laws and workers’ rights, leading to the establishment of standards and protections still in place today.

Types of Strikes

Economic Strike

An economic strike occurs when employees strike for better wages, benefits, or working conditions. This is the most common type of strike and often involves collective bargaining.

Sympathy Strike

Sympathy strikes are conducted by workers who strike in support of another group of workers who are already on strike. This type extends solidarity among different labor groups.

Unfair Labor Practice Strike

This type of strike arises in response to actions taken by the employer that violate labor laws, such as discrimination or refusal to negotiate in good faith.

Legal Considerations

Right to Strike

In many countries, the right to strike is protected by law, but with varying restrictions. In the United States, for example, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects the right to strike but also allows employers to hire replacement workers.

Anti-Striking Laws

Some countries impose restrictions on strikes, especially in essential services such as healthcare and public safety. These restrictions are aimed at ensuring public welfare but often lead to debates about workers’ rights.

Implications of Striking

For Employees

Economic Hardship: Striking workers may face financial difficulties due to the loss of wages.
Solidarity and Morale: The act of striking can foster a sense of unity and collective power among workers.

For Employers

Operational Disruption: Strikes can halt productivity and affect the bottom line.
Public Relations: Strikes often attract media attention, potentially harming the employer’s reputation.

For Society

Economic Impact: Large-scale strikes can affect the broader economy, influencing supply chains and consumer prices.
Social Awareness: Strikes often highlight social issues, contributing to public discourse and policy change.

Examples of Notable Strikes

The 1936-37 Flint Sit-Down Strike

This strike by the United Auto Workers against General Motors was crucial in establishing union power in the automotive industry.

The 1984-85 British Miners’ Strike

A major industrial action by miners in the UK, which had significant political and social ramifications.

Picket Line: A line of striking workers positioned outside their workplace, often to dissuade others from entering and to draw attention to their cause.
Collective Bargaining: The process through which workers, usually through unions, negotiate with their employers to establish terms of employment.
Lockout: A reverse form of strike where employers prevent workers from entering the workplace, often in response to a strike.

FAQs

What is the main goal of striking?

The primary goal of striking is to exert pressure on the employer to meet workers’ demands concerning wages, benefits, or working conditions.

Is 'Hit the Bricks' used globally?

While the phrase originated in English-speaking countries, the concept of striking is global, though often described with different idioms and expressions unique to each language.

Can all employees legally strike?

Not all employees can legally strike, particularly those in essential services or in countries with restrictive labor laws.

References

Green, James. Death in the Haymarket: A Story of Chicago, the First Labor Movement and the Bombing that Divided Gilded Age America. Anchor Books, 2006.
Dubofsky, Melvyn. Industrialism and the American Worker, 1865-1920. Wiley-Blackwell, 1996.
National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 151-169.

Summary

“Hit the Bricks” captures the spirit of laborers taking action against perceived injustices by walking out and striking. Rooted in historical labor movements, the term continues to be relevant as workers worldwide seek to assert their rights and negotiate better employment conditions. With legal frameworks, types of strikes, and implications for all stakeholders, understanding this action is crucial for grasping the dynamics of labor relations in modern economies.