Deck 12: Summary and Future of Labour Relations

Question 1

Unions cannot encourage employees to boycott an employee involvement program if the result is a reduction in output.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Tayloristic work principles include increasing productivity by obtaining suggestions from operating employees.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Employee involvement in unionized workplaces requires the agreement of the union.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

In some studies it has been found that unionization increases productivity.

Question 5

The effects of unions are restricted to compensation,productivity,profitability,and recruiting and selection.

Question 6

Co-determination involves teams of employees that make recommendations to management.

Question 7

A union may agree to participate in an employee involvement program and this agreement is always separate from and outside of the collective agreement.

Question 8

The threat effect refers to upward pressure on non-union wages caused by the fact that some non-union employers may increase wages to avoid unionization.

Question 9

Unionized firms have higher turnover than non-union firms.

Question 10

Employee involvement programs could allow workers to obtain skills which they will make use of away from the workplace.

Question 11

It is not an unfair labour practice when employees participate in employee involvement programs that do not involve the determination of terms and conditions of work.

Question 12

The effects of unions have been categorized as a monopoly face and a voice face.

Question 13

The union wage premium had declined in recent years.

Question 14

Unions raise both wages and benefits; however,there is a greater impact on wages than benefits.

Question 15

Unions increase the likelihood of variable pay plans,such as profit sharing,and merit pay.

Question 16

A study conducted in the 1990s found that on average unions increase wages of employees by 10.4 percent.

Question 17

Union leaders sometimes oppose employee involvement programs because they fear that employees will be required to work harder for the same compensation.

Question 18

The crowding effect refers to an increase in wages at non-union firms that is caused by the possibility of unionization.

Question 19

Job control unionism includes pay tied to jobs instead of pay for knowledge.

Question 20

With most employers unions do not play a direct role in hiring

Question 21

The union wage effect:

A) is 10 percent for all employees
B) has declined
C) is greater in larger firms than smaller firms
D) is greater for white-collar employees than blue-collar employees
E) is greater for male employees than female employees

Question 22

Salting is a union organizing tactic that involves using rank-and-file members as temporary organizers.

Question 23

Union leaders generally perceive that employers support programs aimed at increasing union-management co-operation.

Question 24

Grievance mediation is viewed as being inherently adversarial.

Question 25

All jurisdictions provide that a union may be certified without a vote as a remedy for employer unfair labour practices.

Question 26

Decentralized bargaining has been cited as one of the factors that reduce the chances of a union revival.

Question 27

Labour relations legislation encourages employee involvement programs.

Question 28

The processes that are currently part of the labour relations system,including grievance arbitration,could be viewed as being inherently adversarial.

Question 29

The following are possible barriers to an employee involvement program: the parties' relationship,attitudes of union leaders,and reduced job satisfaction.

Question 30

There are environmental factors that pose a barrier to increased union-management collaboration.

Question 31

Employee involvement programs pose a dilemma for union leaders.

Question 32

Which of the following is the most correct regarding the effects of unions on the wages and employment of non-union employees?

A) The crowding effect puts upward pressure on non-union wages.
B) The threat effect puts upward pressure on non-union wages.
C) The threat effect increases the level of employment of non-union employees.
D) Unions always lead to increased wages and levels of employment for non-union employees.
E) Unions never lead to increases in wage levels for non-union employees.

Question 33

The threat effect:

A) increases wages in the non-union sector
B) decreases wages in the non-union sector
C) increases productivity in the union sector
D) decreases productivity in the union sector
E) increases investment in the union sector

Question 34

Union growth would be stimulated by adopting a policy providing for the certification of unions based upon membership cards instead of requiring a representation vote.

Question 35

Research has confirmed that all employee involvement programs lead to increases in productivity.

Question 36

Which of the following is correct regarding the effect of unions on productivity?

A) Unions always reduce productivity.
B) Unions never reduce productivity.
C) Unions increase productivity in some workplaces.
D) Unions initially increase productivity and then cause a decline in productivity.
E) Unions initially decrease productivity and then cause an increase in productivity.

Question 37

The crowding effect:

A) increases wages in the non-union sector
B) decreases wages in the non-union sector
C) increases productivity in the non-union sector
D) decreases productivity in the non-union sector
E) increases investment in the union sector

Question 38

Unions increase:

A) only wages
B) only benefits
C) both wages and benefits; however, wages more than benefits
D) both wages and benefits; however, benefits more than wages
E) morale

Question 39

Canadian unions face challenges in the future including globalization and government deficit reduction programs that are bound to reduce union density.

Question 40

Which of the following is the least likely to be affected by unionization?

A) productivity
B) profitability
C) labour relations legislation
D) managerial control
E) compensation of non-union employees

Question 41

Employee involvement programs:

A) have universally increased productivity
B) are difficult to establish, but easy to maintain
C) have lead to small increases in employee satisfaction
D) a, b, and c
E) b and c

Question 42

Which of the following policy options will foster union growth?

A) certification based on a representation vote
B) certification based on membership cards
C) voluntary union membership
D) permitting the use of replacement workers during a strike
E) employee consent for the deduction of union dues from employees' pay

Question 43

Some observers are pessimistic about the future for unions because of:

A) the political environment
B) the failure of unions to organize workers in many sectors of the economy
C) centralized bargaining in North America
D) a and b
E) b and c

Question 44

Employee involvement:

A) could be provided for in the collective agreement
B) could be provided for outside of the collective agreement
C) has been established to always increase productivity
D) a, b, and c
E) a and b

Question 45

Describe what you perceive as the three most significant effects of unionization for employers.

Question 46

Explain the union wage effect.

Question 47

Which of the following is correct regarding the Framework of Fairness agreement between Magna and the CAW on the issue of the role of the union?

A) The agreement does not change the traditional role played by a union in the workplace.
B) The agreement provides the union with an equal voice in decisions relating to investment and production.
C) The agreement provides for a new role for the union through an Employee Relations Review Committee.
D) The agreement prevents the union from making any representations to governments.
E) The agreement prevents the union from acting as an advocate for employees.

Question 48

A firm has been unionized and a first collective agreement has been negotiated.The agreement provides for a union shop,protects bargaining unit work,and contains an article regarding technological change.Which of the following is the least likely to be affected by the collective agreement:

A) layoffs
B) the establishment of workplace rules
C) the replacement of old equipment
D) the selection of new employees
E) the termination of employees

Question 49

Which of the following forms of employee involvement provides for the largest amount of authority being delegated to employees?

A) problem solving groups
B) employee-management committees
C) co-determination
D) self-directed work teams
E) quality circles

Question 50

An employer plans on introducing an employee involvement program outside of the collective agreement.Which of the following is correct?

A) The employer must obtain the union's consent to any employee involvement program.
B) Research has confirmed that all employee involvement programs increase productivity.
C) Unions universally welcome employee involvement programs.
D) Union participation may not be required; however, it is recommended by many observers.
E) The knowledge gap means that an employee involvement program cannot be successful.

Question 51

Which of the following is most likely regarding the future prospects for unions?

A) The worst environmental challenges have been encountered; the future looks bright.
B) The future for public sector unions appears to be more positive than for private sector unions.
C) Recent legislative changes have improved the future prospects for unions.
D) The extensive links established with unions in other countries ensures union viability.
E) There may be a conflict between the traditional role of the union and additional co-operation with employers in the future.

Question 52

Which of the following policy options will foster union growth?

A) first and second contract arbitration
B) allowing the Labour Relations Board to certify the union without a vote
C) permitting the use of replacement workers during a strike
D) a and b
E) b and c

Question 53

Which of the following is a reason unions support employee involvement programs?

A) Some employee involvement programs have a limited scope.
B) Increased job satisfaction.
C) Increased efficiency and competitiveness that improves job security.
D) a and b
E) b and c

Question 54

Which of the following is not a feature of job control unionism?

A) a distrust of teams
B) pay tied to jobs
C) a high number of job grades
D) distrust of employee involvement
E) broad job definitions

Question 55

An employer has undertaken an employee involvement program without the participation of the union.The employer is seeking ways to redesign compensation so that it is more effective.Which of the following is correct?

A) The program is permissible.
B) The program is permissible provided that a majority of the employees approve.
C) The program is permissible provided that it complies with the management rights article in the collective agreement.
D) The program violates the bargaining rights of the union.
E) The program is permissible; however, the union could lawfully encourage employees to boycott the effort.

Question 56

A study conducted by Terry Wagar found that:

A) union and employer leaders agree that people are an organization's most important asset
B) a small percentage of union leaders felt that management viewed co-operative programs as a way to reduce union influence
C) a small percentage of union officials felt that the interests of the union and employer are in conflict
D) a majority of union officials did not think that employers support bargaining unit members who tried new approaches
E) union leaders perceived extensive support from management for co-operative programs

Question 57

Job control unionism could be viewed as entrenching:

A) high involvement work principles
B) co-operative work principles
C) interest based approaches
D) Tayloristic work principles
E) McClelland's work principles

Question 58

Which of the following is correct regarding the effect of unionization?

A) The selection of qualified employees is less important.
B) Spending on training is higher in unionized firms.
C) Employment growth is faster in unionized firms.
D) Job satisfaction increases in unionized firms.
E) Profitability is higher in unionized firms.

Question 59

Which of the following is not a barrier to increasing employee involvement?

A) a knowledge gap between union an employer leaders
B) an adversarial relationship between the parties
C) labour relations legislation
D) the inability of employees to be involved and remain loyal to the union
E) attitudes and beliefs of unions and employers

Question 60

Which of the following is the most likely to cause an increase in productivity in a unionized organization?

A) reduced turnover
B) a less adversarial employment relationship
C) increased competition between employees
D) increased use of labour
E) increased management flexibility

Question 61

Outline the challenges that unions will face in the future and explain two ways that unions could ensure their viability.

Question 62

Some observers have called for increased union-management co-operation.Discuss the barriers that will have to be overcome to increase union-management co-operation.

Question 63

Explain the barriers to employee involvement in a unionized workplace and elaborate on how these barriers could be overcome.

Question 64

At the beginning of the course you may have held an opinion of unions and collective bargaining.During the course you may have learned information or concepts that either confirmed or changed your opinion.
a.Explain whether your opinion has been confirmed or changed by referring to two of the following items: union dues,seniority,or strikes.
b.Explain whether your opinion has been confirmed or changed by referring to an additional topic covered in the course.

Question 65

Explain three reasons why unions may support and three reasons why unions may oppose employee involvement programs.

Question 66

Outline the features of job control unionism.

Question 67

It has been found that in some organizations unions increase productivity.Explain three reasons why unions may increase productivity.