Deck 3: Unions: Objectives, Processes, Structure, and History

Question 1

The legal environment in all provinces allows unions to enforce the collection of fines imposed on union members through the court system.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

More than 70% of union members have a university degree.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

A key function of a local union is the negotiation of collective agreements.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Union density for part-time employees is approximately 23%.

Question 5

All unions in Canada belong to the Canadian Labour Congress.

Question 6

A key function of a national union is dealing with raiding by locals in the union.

Question 7

Industrial unions organize different types of workers,including skilled and unskilled employees in a firm.

Question 8

Independent local unions dominate the Canadian labour movement.

Question 9

All union locals are affiliated with a national or international union.

Question 10

All locals consist of a group of employees who work for the same employer.

Question 11

Union density has been declining in Canada since 1984.

Question 12

Union density in education,public administration,and health-care exceeds 50%.

Question 13

Union methods or processes include contract negotiation,grievances and arbitration,and court action.

Question 14

Union membership has been declining in Canada 1984.

Question 15

The Canadian Auto Workers and the British Columbia Nurses Association are both national unions.

Question 16

Right to work legislation in some Canadian jurisdictions prohibits the compulsory deduction of union dues from an employee's pay.

Question 17

National unions engage in political activity; however,the Canadian branches of international unions do not engage in political activity.

Question 18

A national union and the local union are separate entities; the national union is not responsible for the wrongful acts committed by local union members.

Question 19

Trusteeship refers to the situation where the members of a local vote to have the national or international union take over the local's affairs.

Question 20

The Canadian Labour Congress frequently becomes involved in contract negotiations with employers.

Question 21

Surveys of unions have found that the majority of unions do not engage in political action.

Question 22

The Snyder case is the basis for the divided jurisdiction in Canadian labour relations.

Question 23

A Labour Council is a provincial organization composed of all unions affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress in the province.

Question 24

Social unionism was the dominant philosophy of U.S.labour organizations that influenced the development of unions in Canada.

Question 25

Labour Councils are involved in charity work in their communities.

Question 26

A yellow dog contract was a practice in the 1800s used by employers who opposed the unionization of their employees.

Question 27

In the late 1800s and early 1900s international unions dominated the Canadian labour movement.

Question 28

All unions have supported the NDP.

Question 29

Employees in Canada did not have the legal right to join a union until the Wagner Act of 1935.

Question 30

Union density has declined in the United States more than in Canada in part because the legal environment is less favourable to unions in the United States.

Question 31

Union density in the public sector is four times greater than it is in the private sector in Canada.

Question 32

Union density has declined in the United States more than in Canada because of a different economic environment in the United States.

Question 33

The first unions formed in Canada were local organizations of craft workers.

Question 34

Union density indicates the percentage of:

A) employees who are union members
B) employees who are covered by collective agreements
C) employees who wish to become union members
D) union members who have voluntarily joined a union
E) union members who have agreed to have union dues deducted from their pay

Question 35

PC 1003 is the foundation for present day labour relations in Canada.

Question 36

Provincial labour federations engage in activities aimed exclusively at benefiting unionized members of the federation.

Question 37

Federally regulated public sector employees did not have the right to unionize until 1965.

Question 38

As of 2009 how many employees in Canada were union members?

A) 3.8 million
B) 4 million
C) 4.4 million
D) 4.6 million
E) 4.8 million

Question 39

Recent economic and legal developments would most likely be viewed as being unfavourable to unions.

Question 40

By international standards there are a large number of small unions in Canada.

Question 41

Which of the following objectives of a union would be most closely associated with the philosophy of business unionism?

A) protecting employees against arbitrary management action.
B) providing a process for conflict resolution and employee input.
C) pursuing economic and social change.
D) improving terms and conditions of work.
E) a and b

Question 42

Which of the following statements relating to the relationship between a national or international union and a union local is not correct?

A) The parent union approves the slate of officers submitted by a local.
B) The parent union may place the local in trusteeship.
C) The parent union may have the authority to approve contract demands made by the local.
D) The parent union may have the authority to approve a strike by the local.

Question 43

Which of the following is not a function of a national or international union:

A) dealing with jurisdictional disputes
B) organizing workers
C) assisting locals with contract negotiation
D) assisting locals with grievances
E) providing education and training

Question 44

A local union is negotiating a contract with an employer.The employer has referred to information relating to wages paid by other firms in the industry.If the local union needs assistance to find additional information regarding comparable wages it would most likely contact:

A) the Labour Council that the local is affiliated with
B) the international union that the local is affiliated with
C) the Canadian Labour Congress
D) the provincial Federation of Labour that that the local is affiliated with
E) an independent local union

Question 45

Which of the following statements regarding a local union is not correct:

A) It may be affiliated with a national union.
B) It may be affiliated with an international union.
C) It may not be affiliated with either a national or international union.
D) It may be established by an employer.
E) It may be directly chartered by a Labour Congress.

Question 46

Which of the following statements regarding the organization and governance of national and international unions is correct?

A) Operational matters are dealt with at the union convention.
B) The union must have officers as provided in the constitution of the Canadian Labour Congress.
C) The supreme governing party of the union is the convention, which is held at the call of the union executive.
D) The union executive, which varies between unions, is provided for in the union constitution.
E) Officers of the union are elected for one a one-year term.

Question 47

A local union must:

A) be affiliated with a national or international union
B) be part of a Labour Congress
C) have a business agent
D) have officers who are responsible for the administration of the local's affairs
E) a and d

Question 48

Which of the following are the primary methods that could be used by a union to improve employee's terms and conditions of work?

A) court action
B) contract negotiation
C) political activity
D) public relations
E) grievances and arbitration

Question 49

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)is an example of:

A) a craft union
B) a Labour Congress
C) an international union
D) an industrial union
E) a Labour Council

Question 50

The British Columbia Nurses Association is an example of:

A) a Labour Congress
B) a Labour Council
C) an international union
D) an industrial union
E) a national union

Question 51

Union density has declined more dramatically in the United States than in Canada because:

A) the economic environment is less favourable in the United States.
B) U.S. employees do not seek unionization as much as Canadian employees do.
C) right to work legislation in the U.S. requires the compulsory deduction of union dues.
D) labour relations legislation is enforced more quickly in the United States.
E) the political environment is less favourable for unions in the United States.

Question 52

The chair of the local school board has made a public statement claiming that mould found in schools does not pose a health risk to students or teachers.Which of the following methods is the union representing teachers most likely to use to effectively respond?

A) pursue the issue in contract negotiation.
B) strike.
C) advertise in local media criticizing the statements and calling for action to be taken.
D) pursue the issue in a union-management committee.
E) file a grievance.

Question 53

A Labour Congress could best described as:

A) a union of unions
B) an association of national unions
C) an association of international unions
D) a body controlling unions
E) an organization for non-union employees

Question 54

The following statements regarding union density are referred to in alternatives below: 1)Union density has dramatically declined in Canada since 1984.
2)Union density has declined slightly in Canada since 1984.
3)Union density has remained constant in Canada since 1960.
4)Union density has declined dramatically in United States since 1960.
5)Union density has declined slightly in United States since 1960.
Which of the above statements is correct?

A) 1 and 4
B) 1 and 5
C) 2 and 4
D) 2 and 5
E) 3 and 5

Question 55

Which of the following is/are the primary functions of a local union?

A) pursuing changes in employment and labour relations legislation
B) negotiation of collective agreements
C) administration of the collective agreement
D) b and c
E) a, b, and c

Question 56

The executive of a local affiliated with a national union has misappropriated funds.In response to this the national union is most likely to do which of the following?

A) impose a trusteeship over the local.
B) abolish the local.
C) deal with the issue at the next union convention.
D) report the local executive to the Labour Relations Board.
E) refer the matter to the Canadian Labour Congress

Question 57

Union dues are:

A) a flat fee in most unions
B) usually one to two percent of an employee's earnings
C) usually three to four percent of an employee's earnings
D) paid by the employer
E) paid to the Labour Council

Question 58

Unions use which of the following methods to achieve their objectives:

A) legal proceedings
B) newspaper advertisements
C) political activity
D) a and b
E) a, b, and c

Question 59

A local union has encountered a problem with an employer.The employer wants to impose drug testing.If the local requires assistance with a grievance relating to this matter it would most likely contact:

A) the Canadian Labour Congress
B) the Labour Council that the local is affiliated with
C) the national union that the local is affiliated with
D) the provincial Federation of Labour the local is affiliated with
E) an independent local union

Question 60

Which of the following are functions of the Canadian Labour Congress:

A) organizing employees
B) administration of the collective agreement
C) negotiation of collective agreements
D) pursuing changes in employment legislation in the federal jurisdiction
E) community service

Question 61

Some employers reacted to the establishment of the first unions in Canada by:

A) having employees sign agreements which prohibited them from joining a union
B) refusing to deal with a union
C) blacklisting union supporters
D) a and b
E) a, b, and c

Question 62

The administration of a hospital was criticized for failing to properly manage the facility.The outstanding issues included allegations that money was improperly spent to redecorate the CEO's office while staff was being laid off.If a public rally is organized to protest this matter which of the following is more likely to play a key role in the organization of the rally?

A) the Canadian Labour Congress.
B) the Labour Council.
C) a local of a national union in the community.
D) a local of an international union in the community.
E) the provincial Federation of Labour

Question 63

Which of the following is correct regarding Canadian membership in national unions and international unions?

A) National unions are part of international unions.
B) Some Canadian branches of international unions have separated from the international because of policy differences with the international union.
C) There has been a shift from membership in national unions to international unions to deal with the consequences of NAFTA.
D) There has been a shift from membership in national unions to international unions because of the growth of unionization in the public sector.
E) A majority of Canadian union members belong to international unions.

Question 64

Which of the following are trends in Canadian union membership:

A) an increase in the percentage of union members who belong to international unions
B) an increase in the percentage of union members who belong to national unions
C) a decrease in the percentage of union members who are female
D) a decrease in the percentage of union members who are employed in the public sector
E) b and d

Question 65

National unions:

A) have affiliated locals in all provinces
B) must belong to the Canadian Labour Congress
C) are affiliated with an international union
D) have affiliated locals in Canada
E) are organizations composed of provincial unions

Question 66

Which of the following correctly shows union density from the highest to the lowest:

A) Canadian private sector, Canadian public sector, U.S. public sector, U.S. private sector
B) Canadian public sector, Canadian private sector, U.S. public sector, U.S. private sector
C) Canadian public sector, Canadian private sector, U.S. private sector, U.S. public sector
D) U.S. public sector, Canadian public sector, Canadian private sector, U.S. private sector
E) Canadian public sector, U.S. public sector, Canadian private sector, U.S. private sector

Question 67

In Canada union density is as follows:

A) public sector: 16 percent; private sector: 71 percent
B) public sector: 35 percent; private sector: 8 percent
C) public sector: 30 percent; private sector: 10 percent
D) public sector: 71 percent; private sector: 16 percent
E) public sector: 71 percent; private sector: 30 percent

Question 68

Which of the following is correct regarding Canadian union membership?

A) 75% of union members are female
B) union density for full-time employees is double the rate of part-time employees
C) union density for full-time employees and part-time employees is the same
D) a majority of union members are employed in the public sector
E) a majority of union members are employed in the private sector

Question 69

The first unions in Canada were:

A) international craft unions
B) national craft unions
C) local organizations of skilled workers
D) established in the early 1900s
E) established by the Knights of Labour

Question 70

Which of the following are reasons why U.S.-based international unions dominated the Canadian labour movement at one time?

A) Membership in international unions facilitated finding employment in the United States.
B) Other unions did not exist in Canada.
C) The international unions took the initiative in organizing Canadian workers.
D) The social unionism philosophy of the international unions was attractive to Canadian employees.
E) a and c

Question 71

Which of the following is a reason why the legal environment in Canada is viewed as being more favourable to unions than the U.S.legal environment?

A) Some Canadian jurisdictions require a vote for a union to obtain the right to represent employees.
B) Some Canadian jurisdictions provide for the deduction of union dues from the pay of union members in a bargaining unit.
C) Some Canadian jurisdictions have right to work legislation.
D) Some Canadian jurisdictions provide for the deduction of union dues from the pay of all employees in a bargaining unit.
E) Most Canadian jurisdictions require employees in a bargaining unit to become union members.

Question 72

A Labour Council is:

A) a provincial social association of union locals that are affiliated with the same national or international union
B) an association of unions in a municipality or region
C) an association composed of unions in a province that belong to the Canadian Labour Congress
D) an association of unions at the national level that promote union interests
E) a union whose membership is situated entirely in Canada.

Question 73

International unions have locals in:

A) Canada and Europe
B) Canada and United States
C) Canada and Mexico
D) a and b
E) a, b, c

Question 74

Which of the following is correct?

A) In most jurisdictions a union may enforce a fine imposed upon a union member through the court system.
B) A national union has responsibility for the wrongful acts committed by local union officers.
C) The Canadian Labour Congress is an organization comprised of only unions that have their headquarters located in Canada.
D) The Canadian Labour Congress encourages unions to recruit members from the ranks of employees who are already represented by a union.
E) Surveys of unions have established that the majority of unions engage in political action.

Question 75

Which of the following has not been cited as a reason for the difference in union density between Canada and United States?

A) the legal environment
B) the political environment
C) NAFTA
D) Canadian unions have allocated more time and energy to organizing workers
E) employer opposition to unions has been greater in the United States

Question 76

A provincial Federation of Labour has the following functions:

A) supporting unions in the province that are on strike
B) negotiating contracts for provincial government employees
C) providing education and training for members
D) providing assistance relating to grievances
E) a and c

Question 77

The structure of unions in Canada can best be described as:

A) fragmented
B) unitary
C) centralized
D) controlled by the Canadian Labour Congress
E) determined by international unions

Question 78

At the start of the 1900s what percentage of Canadian union members belonged to U.S.-based international unions?

A) 80 percent
B) 85 percent
C) 90 percent
D) 95 percent
E) 100 percent

Question 79

Union density is highest in the:

A) Canadian public sector
B) U.S. public sector
C) Canadian private sector
D) U.S. private sector

Question 80

The legal environment in which unions were first established could best be described as being:

A) neutral
B) favourable
C) encouraging
D) irrelevant
E) hostile