Discuss the role of strikes, lockouts, and picketing, and whether or not they have any place in our present society.

Students should first explain the difference between a strike and a lockout and demonstrate under what circumstances strikes, lockouts, and picketing can take place. The only time a strike or lockout is now permitted is at the bargaining stage, where the parties are trying to negotiate the terms of a new collective agreement (this is called an interest dispute). All other types of disputes are dealt with through the certifications process (recognition and jurisdictional disputes) or through the arbitration and grievance procedures embodied in the collective agreement itself (rights disputes).
Even then, when a strike or lockout does take place, what the parties can do is severely limited. In some jurisdictions, replacement workers cannot be hired. Other workers usually have the right to respect the party on strike and not cross picket lines, etc. Notice has to be given before the strike can commence, and even then the parties (or government) can usually require that votes be taken on the last offer by the employees or that mediators be called in and the right to strike or lockout be suspended until they finish their work. Picketing can only be done at certain locations and then can only be persuasive. No violence or physical confrontation or intimidation is permitted (although in fact it often happens).
All of these things restrict strikes and lockouts and picketing (the use of power) to a very limited area, and the potential or threat of its use forms the basis of the power for each side that leads to a negotiated settlement in most cases. Students should discuss all of these factors before giving an opinion of whether strikes and lockouts should be allowed. They can clearly choose either side in the debate, but it should be clear that they are arguing from a clear understanding of these important factors.