 Mr. Burns sends hired goons to the Simpson house in order to take Homer back to Burns ' Manor to negotiate . While Burns is setting the agenda for the discussion , Homer is struck by the urgent need to use the rest room . Homer asks Burns where the rest room is and immediately leaves , leading Burns to conclude that Homer is a tough negotiator who is unwilling to even hear him out . At a later union meeting , Homer tries to resign , tired of meeting with Mr. Burns . The union misunderstands his frustration , and the members nearly unanimously decide to strike . Mr. Burns is undeterred by the strike and tries several methods of breaking it up , but fails . On an edition of Kent Brockman 's talk show Smartline , Burns is allowed an opening tirade and he threatens dire events if the strike is not concluded . 
