Having covered labor my entire career and having taught labor history, I want to look at three terms that are being used about pro athletes’ actions. They are boycott, walkout and strike. Thread.

First, remember that the players have collective bargaining agreements (CBA) that remain in force, and which define reasons for which absences can occur. The protests do not seem to fall under those definitions, so flexibility is needed. This is historic.

Let’s start with “boycott.” Typically, a boycott is an individual action, that can become a collective one. A player decides to sit out a game, as Jason Heyward did. However, he was adamant that the Cubs play. Thus, his boycott remained singular.

Then, “walkout.” If a group of players or a team goes to the workplace, and then decides not to play and leaves, this is a walkout. It is the term I think suits the team situations best. “Mookie Betts inspired a walkout by the Dodgers.”

A “strike” generally requires collective team agreement of a work stoppage, and advance notification to the employer. Generally, there is a started objective that the group wants the employer to provide. You can have a one-day strike, or an indefinite one.

In the latter case, the inference is that services will be withheld until X is achieved and that the players do not intend to return until it happens.

I don’t think “strike” applies here. For one thing, it sounds like the players intend to return, either after one game off, or the rest of the season off. They are not saying, “we will never play again and our contract is void.” They are making a social justice statement.

Because the teams don’t have the broader ability to grant what the players are seeking, i.e. equity, the actions are symbolic. But they are deeply felt and the players are making their voices heard, as they have a right to do.

Technically, the teams can get injunctions to force the players to honor the CBAs. I don’t see that happening. But, it may be time to negotiate the parameters of work stoppages for social reasons. Because this discussion is far from over.

Some people have adopted “wildcat strike” but that’s actually not the case. Traditionally, a wild cat takes place without knowledge or authorization of union leadership, and often the knowledge of management. Certainly, @MLB_PLAYERS knows what is happening or player reps do.

What’s especially interesting - and appropriate - is that team management is expressing support and sympathy for the players. They’ve rescheduled the walkout games and no one has said a word about any financial penalties.

I’ve never covered an actual strike where management says, “We understand and respect why you are doing this. You have our support.” It’s truly an amazing moment.