Deck 15: Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations

Question 1

The frequency for bargaining over a new contract is only about every three years.

Answer 1

True
Explanation: Although the process of negotiating a labor agreement receives the most publicity, other union-management activities occur far more often. Bargaining over a new contract typically occurs only about every three years, but administering labor contracts goes on day after day, year after year.

Question 2

A craft union's bargaining power depends greatly on the control it can exercise over the supply of its workers.

Answer 2

True
Explanation: A labor union whose members all have a particular skill or occupation are known as craft unions. Craft unions are often responsible for training their members through apprenticeships and for supplying craft workers to employers. A craft union's bargaining power depends greatly on its control over the supply of its workers.

Question 3

Joining a union,whether recognized by the employer or not,is an activity protected under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Answer 3

True
Explanation: Joining a union, whether recognized by the employer or not, is an activity protected under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Question 4

Competition for scarce human resources can lead employers to offer much of what employees traditionally sought through union membership.

Question 5

A union steward is a person hired by management to monitor union activity and report violations,if any.

Question 6

Associate union membership is linked to an employee's workplace.

Question 7

Preparation,in collective bargaining,includes establishing objectives for the contract,reviewing the old contract,and gathering data.

Question 8

Most studies have found that union workers are more productive than nonunion workers.

Question 9

Originally,the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)did not contain a list of any unfair labor practices by unions.

Question 10

In their labor relations,managers prefer to increase wages and benefits and to give maximum control to workers over work rules and schedules.

Question 11

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)is by far the largest labor union in the U.S.

Question 12

Enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act rests with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Question 13

Mediation is the most formal and least used method of conflict resolution.

Question 14

Under a checkoff provision,a person must be a union member before being hired.

Question 15

During a strike,the employer loses production unless it can hire replacement workers,and even then,productivity may be reduced.

Question 16

If at least 30 percent of an organization's employees sign an authorization card,the union may request that the employer voluntarily recognize the union.

Question 17

Right-to-work laws grant both the employee and employer the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without cause or notice.

Question 18

An outside party cannot be barred from holding an election for more than three years.

Question 19

On average,unionized workers receive higher pay than their nonunionized counterparts.

Question 20

Unlike union membership for workers in businesses,union membership among government workers has remained strong.

Question 21

The difference between an industrial union and a craft union is that an industrial union:

A) contains members who have a particular skill or occupation.
B) is often responsible for training its members through apprenticeships.
C) organizes as many employees in as wide a range of skills as possible.
D) represents a particular occupation.
E) comprises members who change employers more often.

Question 22

Organizations that are formed in order to represent their members' interests while dealing with employers are known as:

A) employee guilds.
B) sororities.
C) lobbies.
D) member clubs.
E) labor unions.

Question 23

Identify the statement that characterizes an industrial union.

A) All the members are in the same occupation.
B) Union leaders try to limit the number of members in order to maintain high wages.
C) Members are linked by their work in a particular industry.
D) Members change employers more frequently than in other types of unions.
E) It is often responsible for training its members through apprenticeships.

Question 24

Which of the following is true of a craft union?

A) It represents many different occupations.
B) Membership in the union is the result of working for a particular employer in the industry.
C) Changing employers is not very common.
D) It is often responsible for training members through apprenticeships.
E) It consists of members who are linked by their work in a particular industry.

Question 25

Britt,a heavy equipment operator; Sara,an operating engineer; and Nick,a construction mechanic,hail from different parts of the United States.Though they have different occupations,they are all members of the same union.In the context of types of union,Britt,Sara,and Nick most likely belong to a(n)_____ union.

A) international
B) industrial
C) stewards
D) checkoff
E) craft

Question 26

Alonso,the union steward at Selzar Inc.,is attempting to persuade members of management to make certain revisions to the company's policies on job security and work rules on behalf of the union.The union believes that company management has neglected these aspects of the company's administration system for too long.Which of the following levels of decisions is Alonso most likely concerned with in this scenario?

A) Forming labor relations strategies
B) Administering agreements
C) Negotiating contracts
D) Terminating contracts
E) Forming dissociation strategies

Question 27

The employees of Neronsen Inc.decide to form a union.Although most members of management are ready to support their decision,the CEO wishes to maintain nonunion operations.In an attempt to persuade the CEO to change his mind,a union official claims that labor-management cooperation can help improve the company's revenues.The CEO,however,disagrees.Who is right in this scenario?

A) The union official is right because studies show unionized workers are more productive than nonunionized workers.
B) The CEO is right because union workers are less committed to quality work.
C) The union official is right because union formation tends to reduce the overall cost of labor.
D) The CEO is right because unionized workers find it more difficult to form self-managing teams.
E) The CEO is right because the introduction of unions may cause managers to disregard employee ideas and pay less attention to management practices.

Question 28

Courts generally avoid reviewing arbitrators' decisions and focus only on whether the grievance involved an issue that is subject to arbitration under the contract.

Question 29

When employees in an organization have reason to believe that the management is overlooking their needs and interests,they are likely to respond by collectively forming _____.

A) partnerships
B) bureaus
C) trade associations
D) labor unions
E) Interest groups

Question 30

A labor union in which all of the members have a particular skill or occupation is known as a(n)_____ union.

A) common
B) industrial
C) craft
D) regional
E) employer's

Question 31

The employees of Fanzi Textiles Inc.are concerned about company management overlooking their interests.They decide to form a union to voice their concerns and speak up for their rights.They elect Ronny to represent them during negotiations.Ronny's new role requires him to ensure that the terms of the labor contract are enforced and that the interests of the union are met.In this context,Ronny most likely holds the position of _____.

A) business representative
B) chief executive officer
C) stakeholder
D) union trustee
E) union steward

Question 32

Max,a new supervisor at Freson Inc.,is being trained on skills that managers and union leaders require to encourage employee-management cooperation.He is learning the different ways of dealing with employee-management conflicts and how to resolve situations in ways that benefit both parties.In the context of labor management,Max is receiving training on _____.

A) checkoff provisions
B) right-to-work laws
C) maintenance of membership
D) labor relations
E) corporate campaigns

Question 33

Most national unions in the United States are linked with the _____,an association that pursues to improve the shared interests of its member unions at the national level.

A) National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
B) Change to Win
C) American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
D) Chamber of Commerce
E) National Association of Manufacturers

Question 34

The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters is a labor union that seeks to unite plumbers and pipefitters from around the country.The members of this union exhibit the same set of skills and are proficient in relatively similar tasks.Such an association is most likely an example of a(n)_____.

A) craft union
B) industrial union
C) local union
D) business union
E) vertical union

Question 35

Cooperation between labor and management may feature employee involvement in decision making and self-managing employer teams.

Question 36

Which of the following is a factor that has been associated with the decline in union membership?

A) High regulation in such areas as workplace safety and equal employment opportunity
B) Low competition between companies for scarce human resources
C) High job growth in the manufacturing sector of the economy
D) Low costs of unionized labor
E) Low prospects for growth in the service industry

Question 37

Identify the correct statement about the trends in union membership in the U.S.in relation to trends in other countries.

A) In Western Europe, it is common to have union coverage rates of 80 to 90 percent.
B) Coverage rates within the United States are much higher than in most other countries.
C) U.S. employees tend to have a larger, more formal role in organizational decision making than in Western European countries.
D) Worker representatives on boards of directors are much more common in the United States than in Western European countries.
E) The union membership rate in the U.S. is second only to that of Denmark.

Question 38

Under the National Labor Relations Act,the union has a duty of fair representation,meaning that the union must provide equal representation to all members of the bargaining unit,whether or not they actually belong to the union.

Question 39

Kristen,a production manager at KartWheel Designs Inc.,believes that the formation of labor unions may have a negative impact on the performance of a company's stock.Which of the following statements is likely to strengthen Kristen's belief?

A) Workers in unionized organizations tend to exhibit lower levels of productivity than workers in nonunion organizations.
B) Unionized organizations are often required to pay their workers higher wages and offer them more generous benefits.
C) Studies reveal that unions do not have any positive effects on performance measures, such as productivity, profits, and stock performance.
D) Unions tend to have a positive impact on the self-esteem of their members.
E) The formation of labor unions is likely to lead to conflicts between social and labor union goals.

Question 40

Contract administration includes carrying out the terms of the agreement and resolving conflicts over interpretation or violation of the agreement.

Question 41

Joshua,the union shop steward at Harlan Industries,believes it is his responsibility to make sure that a union shop arrangement becomes a reality within the company.His business colleague and HR manager,Nathan,disagrees,saying an agency shop within the company would be a better strategy for the union.In this situation,which of the two colleagues is correct?

A) Joshua is correct because Nathan, as an HR executive, despises unions.
B) Nathan argues that an agency shop will give the company a competitive advantage when seeking new employees.
C) Joshua is correct because a union shop requires all employees to join the union within 30 days of their start date with the company.
D) Nathan is correct because management believes it can influence those employees who do not sign up for union membership.
E) Joshua is correct because he receives a bonus for every employee he signs up for union membership.

Question 42

The National Labor Relations Act is also known as the _____.

A) Taft-Hartley Act
B) Wagner Act
C) Landrum-Griffin Act
D) Sarbanes-Oxley Act
E) Hatch Act

Question 43

David is a non-union employee at Orion Inc.Although he does not intend to join the union at the company,he is still required to pay union dues as part of a union contract with the company.Which of the following does this scenario best exemplify?

A) An agency shop agreement
B) A checkoff provision
C) A union shop agreement
D) A trade-off provision
E) A closed shop agreement

Question 44

Who among the following is NOT covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)?

A) An individual employed as a supervisor
B) An individual employed in the service sector
C) An individual employed by a private-sector firm with less than 15 full-time employees
D) An individual joining a union that is not recognized by his or her employer
E) An individual refraining from activity on behalf of the union

Question 45

Brandon is a new employee at Relagen Inc.He wants to work for the company,but he has no desire to join the union or even consider the possibility of becoming a member in the future.Which of the following security provisions of union membership is most suitable for Brandon?

A) A closed shop provision because it gives an employee the right to participate in decision making without becoming a member
B) A maintenance of membership provision because it allows employees to join the union as passive members
C) A union shop provision because it helps an employee use indirect influence to affect management-union contracts
D) An agency shop provision because it requires employees to pay union dues but does not force them to become members
E) A checkoff provision because it requires all the employees of an organization to join the union, regardless of their preferences

Question 46

With reference to the impact of unions on company performance,it can be said that companies wishing to become more competitive must:

A) continually monitor their labor relations strategy.
B) prohibit unions.
C) actively encourage unions.
D) deny collective bargaining rights to their employees.
E) pay workers well above market rates.

Question 47

Broxton,a production manager at Silkenz Inc.,is against the idea of forming a union.He believes that unionization may negatively affect the company's profit margins.On the other hand,Eliza,the CEO of the company,believes that unionization may have a positive impact on the company's performance in the market.Which of them is right?

A) Broxton is right because union workers tend to exhibit lower levels of productivity than nonunion workers.
B) Eliza is right because unions are designed to cater to the interests of management rather than to those of employees.
C) Eliza is right because unionization tends to reduce the overall costs of labor and operations.
D) Broxton is right because forming an employee union will reduce the risk of work stoppages.
E) Broxton is right because unionization will create higher costs in wages and benefits.

Question 48

Joe and his colleagues are members of the union at Pinnacle Inc.While negotiating the terms of the labor contract,they request their employer to deduct union dues from their paychecks.This type of contractual arrangement between the two parties is known as a(n)_____.

A) agency shop
B) checkoff provision
C) maintenance provision
D) trade-off provision
E) union shop

Question 49

Identify the right statement regarding the effects of unions on company performance.

A) As a result of the type of pay system favored by unions, employees are more inclined to compete than cooperate.
B) Most studies show that union workers are less productive than nonunion workers.
C) On average, union members receive higher wages and more generous benefits than nonunion workers.
D) The introduction of a union invariably results in the employer paying lesser attention to employee ideas.
E) Evidence shows that unions have a large positive effect on profits.

Question 50

Which of the following is a federal law passed in 1935 that supports collective bargaining and sets out the rights of employees to form unions?

A) The Landrum-Griffin Act
B) The Civil Rights Act
C) The Wagner Act
D) The Taft-Hartley Act
E) The Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Question 51

Which of the following is covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)?

A) A worker employed as a supervisor
B) A person working for a parent
C) An independent contractor
D) A worker employed by an employer subject to the Railway Labor Act
E) A worker going out on strike to secure better working conditions

Question 52

Miranda is covered by a union security arrangement that does not mandate she become a union member but requires that she pays union dues.In this scenario,which type of union security arrangement is described?

A) Maintenance shop
B) Union shop
C) Agency shop
D) Closed shop
E) Provision shop

Question 53

Which of the following is a union security arrangement that requires a person to pay his or her union dues but is not required to pay for union membership?

A) Agency shop
B) Union shop
C) Closed shop
D) Maintenance of membership
E) Checkoff provision

Question 54

_____ rules require that employees who join the union remain members for a certain period of time but do not require a union membership.

A) Agency shop
B) Union shop
C) Closed shop
D) Maintenance of membership
E) Checkoff provision

Question 55

Hal Brown,a manager at Time-It Watches Inc.,believes that the formation of a union in a company can help workers hold their employers accountable for the way they treat them.In the context of different types of goals that have an effect on labor unions,Brown is referring to _____ goals.

A) management
B) union
C) industrial
D) societal
E) economical

Question 56

Identify the unfair labor practice under Section 8(a)of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

A) Engaging in collective bargaining with a labor organization
B) Asking to meet with employees' representatives because the employees are on strike
C) Failing to pay unionized employees higher wages than nonunionized employees
D) Implementing performance-based pay plans in the company
E) Coercing employees in exercising their rights to join or assist a labor organization

Question 57

Leroy,a sales manager at ZenFuels Inc.,claims that the benefits that come with employee unions outweigh their drawbacks.Which of the following statements is most likely to strengthen Leroy's argument?

A) Unionization creates vertical organizational structures.
B) Unionization supports a company by promoting centralized decision making.
C) Unionization helps in the cooperation and creation of self-managing employee teams.
D) Unionization reduces the risk of work stoppages.
E) Unionization ensures that workers have a voice in how they are being treated by a company.

Question 58

Name the type of union security arrangement that is illegal under the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act.

A) Union shop
B) Agency shop
C) Closed shop
D) Open shop
E) Checkoff provision

Question 59

Barbara,a job applicant at Solace Corp.,finds that the job she is applying for requires her to be a union member before being hired.She also learns that this arrangement is illegal under the National Labor Relations Act.In the context of the security provisions related to union membership,Barbara has to consider joining a unionized company with a(n)_____ arrangement.

A) open shop
B) closed shop
C) checkoff provision
D) union shop
E) agency shop

Question 60

Neal joins Filestene Inc.as an executive designer.The HR manager informs him that he will have to join the labor union within a period of 30 days from his start date.In the context of the security provisions related to union membership,Neal's HR manager is referring to a(n)_____ arrangement.

A) closed shop
B) maintenance of membership provision
C) agency shop
D) checkoff provision
E) union shop

Question 61

Identify the guideline that should be followed by a supervisor to discourage unions.

A) Promise employees that they will receive favorable terms or conditions of employment if they forgo union activity
B) Threaten employees with harsher terms and conditions of employment or employment loss if they engage in union activity
C) Limit direct contact with employees
D) Interrogate employees about pro-union or anti-union sentiments that they or others may have
E) Report any direct or indirect signs of union activity to a core management group

Question 62

Which of the following is an unfair labor practice by unions under the Taft-Hartley Act?

A) Insisting on provisions that the employer may hire only workers who are union members
B) Nominating candidates to union office and conducting secret-ballot elections
C) Going out on strike to secure better working conditions
D) Refraining from activity on behalf of the union
E) Joining a union not recognized by the employer

Question 63

Identify the right of employees that is covered under the Taft-Hartley Act.

A) The right to nominate candidates for union office
B) The right to participate in union meetings and secret-ballot elections
C) The right to choose whether they join a union or other group
D) The right to examine unions' financial records
E) The right to physically block nonstriking employees from entering the workplace

Question 64

Which of the following union security provisions is unlawful under right-to-work laws?

A) Checkoff provision
B) Closed shop
C) Maintenance of membership
D) Secret-ballot elections
E) Participation in union meetings

Question 65

One of the substitutes to traditional organizing is to conduct _____ which bring financial,political,or public pressure on employers during union organization and contract negotiation.

A) collective coercion
B) corporate campaigns
C) indirect provisions
D) associate campaigns
E) social campaigns

Question 66

Which of the following best describes a card-check provision?

A) It is an arrangement that allows the employer, on behalf of the union, to automatically deduct union dues from the employees' paychecks.
B) It is an agreement that if a certain percentage of employees sign an authorization card, the employer will recognize their union representation.
C) It is an alternative form of union membership in which members receive discounts on insurance and credit cards rather than representation in collective bargaining.
D) It is a formal and binding pledge by the employer not to oppose organizing efforts elsewhere in the company.
E) It is a formal and binding pledge by at least 51 percent of employees to not unionize.

Question 67

The _____ has the authority for certifying or decertifying a union through an election.

A) American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization (AFL-CIO)
B) Small Business Association (SBA)
C) National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
D) Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
E) Selective Service System (SSS)

Question 68

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)consists of two major functions: one is to prevent unfair labor practices and the other one is to:

A) conduct periodic onsite inspections of union and company financial records.
B) conduct and certify representation elections.
C) make rules and regulations for union-management relations.
D) levy punitive charges on violators.
E) monitor and regulate labor relations in small, local businesses.

Question 69

Which of the following statements is true of right-to-work laws?

A) They are federal laws that protect employees' right to lifetime employment.
B) They are state laws that make union shops, maintenance of membership, and agency shops illegal.
C) They are laws that protect the right of unions to insist that the employer hire only union members.
D) They are laws that allow terminating an existing contract and striking for a new one without notifying the employer.
E) They are federal laws that ensure that all union members get pension benefits.

Question 70

During an organizing campaign,which of the following occurs when union representatives make contact with employees,present their message about the union,and invite them to sign an authorization card?

A) The unions determine who is eligible to vote.
B) The union is automatically recognized if at least 30 percent of employees agree.
C) The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) conducts a secret-ballot election if only 30 to 50 percent of employees signed cards.
D) The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) certifies the union as the exclusive representative of employees if the employer refuses to sign the card.
E) The employer cannot participate in any of the proceedings.

Question 71

Jane and Martha work at Anden Inc.Jane claims that forming a union can help enhance workers' bargaining power with management.Martha,however,argues that it is quite challenging to form a union.Which of the following statements strengthens Martha's argument?

A) Unionized employees have low negotiating power with the management.
B) A union needs to convince a majority of workers to have a common goal.
C) Union workers generally have lower productivity than nonunion workers.
D) A union's goals must always contradict the employer's goals.
E) A union must only include members with highly conceptual skills who can easily deal with conflict resolution.

Question 72

House Factory Inc.agrees to allow a union to conduct an organizing campaign.Both parties decide that they will come to a settlement on the time and place of the campaign.In this scenario,which of the following types of elections best describes this type of settlement?

A) Stipulation election
B) Decertification election
C) Union election
D) Agreement election
E) Consent election

Question 73

Identify the law that regulates unions' actions with reference to their members,including financial disclosure and the conduct of elections.

A) The Hatch Act
B) The Taft-Hartley Act
C) The Landrum-Griffin Act
D) The Civil Service Reform Act
E) The Maguire Act

Question 74

Which of the following terms refers to a substitute arrangement of union membership in which members receive discounts on insurance and credit cards rather than representation in collective bargaining?

A) Card check provision
B) Corporate union membership
C) Indirect union provision
D) Associate union membership
E) Relational union membership

Question 75

Which of the following is true of how the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)carries out the function of preventing unfair labor practices?

A) The deadline for filing a charge is twelve months after the alleged unfair practice.
B) The NLRB has no authority to issue cease-and-desist orders to halt unfair labor.
C) The board can order the employer to reinstate workers but cannot order them to pay back pay.
D) The NLRB is not authorized to set aside the results of an election and must approach the courts for this purpose.
E) If an employer or union refuses to comply with an NLRB order, the board has the authority to petition the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Question 76

An employer's exclusion of workers from a workplace until they meet certain conditions is known as a _____.

A) strike
B) lockout
C) mediation
D) picket line
E) sabbatical

Question 77

Which of the following laws permits states to pass right-to-work laws?

A) The Taft-Hartley Act
B) The Sarbanes-Oxley Act
C) The Landrum-Griffin
D) The Hatch Act
E) The Maguire Act

Question 78

What is the minimum percent of employees in a bargaining unit who must sign authorization cards for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)to hold a union representation election?

A) 30 percent
B) 51 percent
C) 20 percent
D) 10 percent
E) 55 percent

Question 79

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)certifies a union as the exclusive representative of a group of employees when:

A) the management of an organization approves of a union.
B) a union pays its dues to the board.
C) at least 51% of the employees join the union within a certain time (30 days) after beginning employment.
D) a majority of workers vote in favor of a union.
E) the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) votes in favor of a union.

Question 80

Identify the category of employees excluded by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)from participating in organizing activities.

A) Employees in multiple facilities within a single employer
B) Employees covered by multiple employers
C) Employees with managerial duties
D) Employees who have been on strike for economic reasons for less than one year and who have been replaced by other employees
E) Employees who have a community of interest in their wages, hours, and working conditions