Under Pennsylvania law, certain strikes are legal, but others can be illegal. In addition, some public employees, like certain first responders or corrections employees, are prohibited from striking. Pennsylvania Management Directive 590.5 summarizes which strikes may be illegal with the following examples:
- A strike during the term of a collective bargaining agreement.
- A strike after the expiration date of a collective bargaining agreement, when the labor organization has not complied with the requirements of Sections 801 and 802 of Act 195.
- A strike in violation of a court-ordered injunction.
- A strike by police personnel covered by the terms of Act 111, Policemen’s and Firemen’s Collective Bargaining Act of 1968, or by corrections officers and other personnel at prisons or mental hospitals covered by the terms of Section 805 of Act 195.
NOTE: If you have questions about this topic, or think you have a legal issue, consider contacting a lawyer. Fairness Center lawyers represent clients for free and can be reached here or at 844.293.1001. We strongly encourage you to pursue with haste any legal claim you believe you may have, as the mere passage of time may prevent you from exercising possible legal claims.