The Foot Comfort company faced labor strikes due to outsourcing production to China, which workers feared would reduce incomes and jobs. The strikes lasted over 5 months, severely impacting the company. Negotiations increased wages but a new union refused renewed agreements. The company locked out 300 workers without proper notice, viewing it as a way to deter future strikes. However, this sacrificed employees and ignored legal requirements for dispute resolution processes between unions and management, exacerbating the conflict. The root issues included lack of job security assurances, ineffective communication, and passive management that failed to consider employee needs when implementing strategic changes.