Deck 9: Conflict Resolution: Grievances and Strikes

Question 1

On a global scale, according to the textbook, Canada has one of the highest levels of strikes.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Strikes are less likely to occur when unemployment is low.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

According to the textbook, demographics alone play a large role in whether a person files a grievance.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Hicks theory is grounded in the premise that strikes represent accidents.

Question 5

All countries record strike statistics in the same way to enable international comparisons.

Question 6

"Work to rule" can be used by the union as a way to strengthen their bargaining position and, technically, not be on strike.

Question 7

Nonunion grievance procedures have become increasingly common in recent years,

Question 8

Historically the general trend has been a reduction in lost time since 1980.

Question 9

The union must have a strike mandate, which is normally gained by a positive strike vote.

Question 10

The three key parties in the grievance process are the union stewart, union, and management.

Question 11

Grievance procedures are one of the employment practices that formally differentiate employment under common law versus employment under collective bargaining law.

Question 12

Wildcat strikes are legal as long as they do not occur during the term of the collective agreement.

Question 13

Industrial dispute statistics include both strikes and lockouts.

Question 14

A theme across the literature is that few of the actual work contract violations actually result in grievances.

Question 15

A lockout represents a work stoppage initiated by the employees.

Question 16

A strike occurs when a number of workers refuse to continue working or they stop working.

Question 17

If the majority of the membership supports the strike action, it is said that the union has a strike mandate.

Question 18

Grievances are less likely to occur in firms with strict management practices.

Question 19

The most common grievance filed is the individual grievance.

Question 20

An industrial dispute is, in its simplest form, a disagreement between employers and employees.

Question 21

What do international strike statistics tell us?

A) It is easy to compare countries' strike activity.
B) Canada has relatively high lost time due to strikes.
C) The OECD keeps standardized strike statistics.
D) Strikes of 100 or more days are common.

Question 22

A recent newspaper article reported that errors made by the chief negotiators at the bargaining table caused a healthcare strike. Which strike theory explains this situation?

A) total joint costs theory
B) negotiator error theory
C) accident theory
D) asymmetric information theory

Question 23

Who initiates a lockout?

A) employer
B) union
C) labour council
D) shop stewards

Question 24

In which situation do employees only perform the minimum standard required in their job?

A) work to rule
B) lockout
C) strike
D) essential services

Question 25

According to the textbook, which strike statistic is the best to use when examining strike trends over time?

A) strike frequency
B) number of workers affected
C) length of strike
D) person-days not worked

Question 26

What must a union have in order to strike?

A) strike mandate with a positive strike vote
B) strike mandate with at least 10% voting
C) strike mandate with at least 25% voting
D) strike mandate will 100% in favour of a strike

Question 27

What do strike frequency statistics examine?

A) the number of workers involved in a strike
B) the person-days not worked
C) the percentage of working time lost due to a strike
D) the total number of strikes

Question 28

What has been the general trend in Canadian strike statistics since 1980?

A) a reduction in lost time
B) steep increase in person-days not worked
C) rising strike frequency
D) stable statistics across Canada

Question 29

Which action is a work stoppage initiated by a union?

A) work to rule
B) lockout
C) strike
D) wild cat strike

Question 30

What is a typical management response to a wildcat strike?

A) fire striking workers
B) ask for a court order to send workers back to their jobs
C) deduct wages for each lost day of work
D) ask for a work order to obtain replacement workers

Question 31

Union members walked off the job immediately after they learned that management would no longer provide safety boots for free. What strike cause is this an example of?

A) isolated groups
B) economic factors
C) intra-organizational factors
D) catalyst

Question 32

Which assumption is the basis of the asymmetric information theory?

A) The union will not strike as a way to see if the other side is bluffing.
B) Parties may strike or lockout as a way to see if the other side is bluffing.
C) The union will call a strike vote strike as a way to see if the other side is bluffing.
D) Parties may not strike or lockout as a way to see if the other side is bluffing.

Question 33

A recent newspaper article reported that a transit union went on strike because they believed that the management team was not being truthful about their inability to afford wage increases. Which strike theory explains this situation?

A) total joint costs theory
B) asymmetric information theory
C) pay security theory
D) Hicks theory

Question 34

Oil rig workers stage a wildcat strike because they are dissatisfied with the timing and frequency of trips out of camp to visit their homes and loved ones. What strike cause is this an example of?

A) catalyst
B) management indifference
C) isolated groups
D) economic factors

Question 35

What is a common strike statistic reported by HRSDC?

A) management overtime incurred
B) cost of lost production
C) person-days not worked
D) unresolved dispute days

Question 36

According to a recent OECD report, which country has the highest average number of working days lost due to strikes?

A) Iceland
B) Italy
C) France
D) Canada

Question 37

Which statement best illustrates an assumption of the accident theory of strikes?

A) Strikes result in errors.
B) Parties try to penalize each other.
C) Negotiators are rational and would seek to avoid strikes in order to avoid high costs.
D) Bargaining teams hide information to avoid high costs.

Question 38

According to an examination of national strike trends across industries since the 1990, which of the following has a relatively high strike rate?

A) wholesale industries
B) public administration
C) real estate and financial industries
D) hospitality

Question 39

Which statement best illustrates total joint cost theory?

A) Strikes are more likely when the cost of the strike is relatively high.
B) Strikes are less likely when the cost of the strike is relatively high.
C) Strikes are more likely when the cost of the strike is relatively low.
D) Strikes are less likely when the cost of the strike is relatively low.

Question 40

The Canada Labour Code refers to "concerted activity on the part of employees in relation to their work that is designed to restrict or limit output." What term is used for this activity?

A) strike
B) wildcat strike
C) lockout
D) work to rule

Question 41

Name five common causes of strikes.

Question 42

The union files a grievance regarding recent changes to overtime allocation rules. What type of grievance is this?

A) action
B) group
C) individual
D) policy

Question 43

Which of the following is a formal complaint that a specific clause in the collective agreement has been violated?

A) strike
B) complaint
C) grievance
D) appeal

Question 44

Which of the following strike causes suggests that an employee feeling of dissatisfaction causes strikes?

A) isolated groups
B) satisfaction
C) frustration-aggression
D) intra-organizational factors

Question 45

Explain the three types of union grievances

Question 46

List three strike theories.

Question 47

According to research, which of the following are negatively impacted by strikes?

A) union members' benefits
B) union members' job satisfaction
C) union members' seniority
D) union members' community involvement

Question 48

List three types of grievances.

Question 49

According to research, which of the following characteristics do grievors, relative to non-grievors, possess?

A) female and well-educated
B) younger males and well-educated
C) hold positive views of management
D) older males and unskilled

Question 50

What is the most common form of a nonunion grievance procedure?

A) open door policy
B) formal appeal
C) independent review
D) strike

Question 51

Explain three strike theories.

Question 52

List the six steps needed before a legal strike is considered legal in Canada.

Question 53

Which kind of grievance is illustrated by an employee grieving that he should have won a particular job posting?

A) union
B) group
C) individual
D) policy

Question 54

List four ways that HRSDC provides in measuring strikes.

Question 55

Name and briefly describe the three common theories of strikes.

Question 56

Explain three types of nonunion grievances procedures.