"Bar Association" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...

, the fifteenth episode of the fourth season.

Plot

After suffering for weeks with an ear infection without a day off, Rom

Rom (Star Trek)

Rom is a recurring character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is played by Max Grodénchik.Rom is a Ferengi, the son of Keldar and Ishka. He is Quark's younger brother, and the father of Nog.-Overview:...

 finally collapses in Quark

Quark (Star Trek)

Quark is a fictional character in the American television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The character, which was played by Armin Shimerman, was depicted as a member of an extraterrestrial race known as the Ferengi, who are stereotypically ultra-capitalist and only motivated by...

's bar and is taken to the Infirmary. Bashir

Julian Bashir

Lieutenant Julian Subatoi Bashir, M.D., played by Alexander Siddig, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Bashir is the chief medical officer of space station Deep Space Nine and the USS Defiant.-Overview:...

 is outraged that Quark refuses to give any employees sick leave

Sick leave

Sick leave is time off from work that workers can use during periods of temporary illness to stay home and address their health and safety needs without losing pay. Some workplaces offer paid sick time as a matter of workplace policy, and in few jurisdictions it is codified into law...

 and casually suggests that Rom form a union

Trade union

A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...

. When Rom returns to work, Quark announces that he is cutting the salaries

Salary

A salary is a form of periodic payment from an employer to an employee, which may be specified in an employment contract. It is contrasted with piece wages, where each job, hour or other unit is paid separately, rather than on a periodic basis....

 of his employees.

Angered at this mistreatment and inspired by Bashir's words, Rom calls a secret meeting of Quark's staff and announces formation of a union. While some of the Ferengi

Ferengi

The Ferengi are a fictitious extraterrestrial race from the Star Trek universe. They first appeared in "The Last Outpost", the fifth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, during which they made first contact with the United Federation of Planets in 2364 on the planet Delphi Ardu,...

 employees are initially fearful as the Ferengi Commerce Association (FCA) forbids the formation of unions, Rom points out they have little to lose so they join the union.

Rom makes a list of demands and presents them to Quark, who refuses them. In response the union goes on strike

Strike action

Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...

. Chief O'Brien

Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)

Miles Edward O'Brien, played by Colm Meaney, is Chief of Operations in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Before DS9, he appeared as a recurring transporter chief in Star Trek: The Next Generation...

 and Dr. Bashir support the strike whilst Worf

Worf

Worf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...

 does not. The resulting disagreement ends in a fight and Captain Sisko

Benjamin Sisko

Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is the main character of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Early life and career:...

, outraged at their behaviour, decides to talk to Quark himself. When Quark refuses to cooperate Sisko threatens to collect Quark's back rent, so Quark offers Rom a bribe to stop the strike. Rom refuses.