Some of the workers of a company indulged in cessation of work in the support of the demands of workmen belonging to other employer. Whether such cessation of work will amount to a strike? Discuss its legal validity.

Cessation of work in support of the demands of workmen belonging to other employer is called a sympathetic strike. This is an unjustifiable invasion of the right of employer who is not at all involved in the dispute. The management can take disciplinary action for the absence of workmen. However, in Ramalingam v. Indian Metallurgical Corporation, Madras, 1964-1 L.L.J. 81 , it was held that such cessation of work will not amount to a strike since there is no intention to use the strike against the management. However, sympathetic strike may be illegal if not supported by valid reasons or done in violation of standing orders or contracts.