Last spring, employees of the Hartville Corporation organized a weeklong strike to protest poor working conditions and unreasonable company policies. The strike resulted in huge financial
losses for the company and the threat of a national boycott on Hartville products.
The situation resulted in the formation of an employee task force, supported by Hartville
management, to review circumstances that led to the strike. The task-force findings follow:
Hartville's overtime pay schedule is well below the national level, and overtime is
mandatory at least once a week.
Employees working in the manufacturing department have an alarmingly high rate of
repetitive stress injury. The equipment they are working with is extremely old and
dangerous and does not meet current health and safety standards. The task force
recommended that equipment be evaluated and brought up-to date immediately.
Sick and personal day policies are unclear. Employees report conflicting and/or confusing
policies relating to sick and personal days, which have resulted in numerous
misunderstandings about procedures and allowances as well as unfair disciplinary action.