Question 1

The hourly employees at Cardiac Health System are dissatisfied with their union. They find that the management at Cardiac Health System communicates openly and treats them with respect in resolving problems, so they don't see much value in paying dues to a union. What option do the employees have in this situation?

Accepted Answer

The employees can call for a decertification election to take place when their contract term ends. This would be the appropriate process to follow if they no longer believe the union is effectively representing their interests. It allows the employees to have a say in whether or not the union should continue to represent them.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) excludes employees with managerial duties from participating in organizing activities. These employees are considered to be part of the employer's management team and therefore are not considered part of the bargaining unit.

Question 3

Which statement best describes a card-check provision?

Accepted Answer

A card-check provision is an agreement between an employer and a union that if a certain percentage (usually a majority) of employees sign an authorization card indicating that they want to be represented by a union, the employer will recognize and bargain with the union. This can be an alternative to holding a traditional secret ballot election.

Question 4

Representatives of management at Steel of Strength and of the union representing its workers are preparing to negotiate contract provisions related to job security. Which topics are most likely to be included in this round of contract negotiations?

Accepted Answer

Job security is typically related to issues such as training programs, transfer arrangements, and relocation allowances. These provisions can help to ensure that employees are able to maintain their employment even if their specific job or location changes within the company. Other topics such as work rules, health insurance, and grievance procedures may also be discussed but are not directly related to job security.

Question 5

During contract negotiations, the union representing the teachers in District 52 is calling for a strike if the union's demands aren't met by the end of the week. A new school board member is worried about school shutting down and suggests directing the negotiators to accept the union's demands. A more experienced board member says the teachers also have reasons for not wanting to strike. What would be one of the most likely reasons for teachers not wanting to strike?

Accepted Answer

Teachers would not want to strike because they would not receive their regular pay during the strike. This would likely cause financial hardship for many teachers and their families.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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. The other statements are incorrect. The deadline for filing a charge is six months after the alleged unfair practice, the NLRB has the authority to issue cease-and-desist orders to halt unfair labor practices, the board can order the employer to reinstate workers and order them to pay back pay, and the NLRB is authorized to set aside the results of an election.

Question 7

Athelia and Annabelle work at Starving Artists Inc. Athelia claims that forming a union can help enhance workers' bargaining power with management. Annabelle, however, argues that it is quite challenging to form a union. Which statement strengthens Annabelle's argument?

Accepted Answer

Annabelle's argument is that forming a union is challenging, and choice B strengthens her argument by stating that a union needs to convince a majority of workers to have a common goal. This implies that there may not always be a consensus among employees on the benefits of forming a union, making the process of unionization harder. The other answer choices either weaken Athelia's argument or are irrelevant to the discussion.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) requires that at least 30 percent of employees in a bargaining unit sign authorization cards before it will conduct a union representation election. This threshold is established to ensure that there is a minimum level of interest in union representation before proceeding with an election.

Question 9

Jake, a manager at Wishful Company, is concerned because negotiations with the union are breaking down, and the union is discussing a strike. What would be the major harm from management's perspective?

Accepted Answer

If the union goes on strike, the company will not have enough workers to maintain production levels, leading to a drop in production output. This can harm the company's profits and its reputation among customers who may switch to competing companies who can fulfill their needs. Additionally, hiring replacement workers may be challenging as they may not be as efficient or knowledgeable as the existing workforce. Thus, the major harm from management's perspective is the potential loss of production output and revenue.

Question 10

What depicts the most complex bargaining structure in collective bargaining?

Accepted Answer

An industrial union representing all hourly employees of several companies depicts the most complex bargaining structure in collective bargaining as it involves negotiations between multiple companies and a large number of employees with diverse job functions and industries. This type of bargaining requires a high level of coordination and strategic planning from the union's leadership.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) conducts a secret-ballot election if 30 to 50 percent of employees sign authorization cards, as part of the process to determine if a majority of employees wish to be represented by the union.

Question 12

In collective bargaining, the term ________ refers to the range of employees and employers covered by the contract.

Accepted Answer

The term that refers to the range of employees and employers covered by the contract in collective bargaining is bargaining structure. This refers to the scope and parameters of the negotiations and the agreement, including who is represented by the union and who is included in the employer group.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Associate union membership is a substitute arrangement in which members receive discounts on insurance and credit cards rather than representation in collective bargaining. The other choices are not related to this type of union membership.

Question 14

Home Decor Factory and a union conducting an organizing campaign agree on the time and place of an election and a way to determine who can vote. Which type of election does this scenario best describe?

Accepted Answer

This scenario best describes a consent election, where both the employer and the union agree on the terms of the election, including the time, place, and voter eligibility, without the need for a formal hearing by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is responsible for overseeing the process of union certification and decertification through elections. They ensure that the elections are conducted fairly and that workers have the opportunity to choose whether or not to be represented by a union. The AFL-CIO is a federation of unions, the SBA is an agency that provides support to small businesses, the FTC is a regulatory agency that promotes competition and protects consumers, and the SSS is responsible for maintaining information about potential military recruits.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

A lockout is when an employer prohibits workers from entering the workplace until certain conditions, typically contract negotiations or disputes, are met. A strike is when workers refuse to work as a form of protest or negotiation tactic. Mediation is a process of negotiation between the two parties to reach a resolution, often with the assistance of a third-party mediator. A picket line is a group of workers who protest outside the workplace to draw attention to their cause. A sabbatical is a predetermined period of time when an employee takes a break from work for personal or professional development.

Question 17

Collective bargaining differs from one situation to another in terms of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Collective bargaining differs from one situation to...

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Corporate campaigns are a substitute for traditional organizing where financial, political or public pressure is brought on employers during union organization and contract negotiation. This can include actions such as public protests, social media campaigns, and boycotts aimed at the employer's brand and reputation.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Reporting any signs of union activity to a core management group is a legal and non-coercive action that a supervisor can take to stay informed about union activities without directly discouraging or intimidating employees. This allows the management to strategize and address employee concerns in a lawful manner.

Question 20

Landon, an HR manager, heard from other managers that there was talk of a union organizing effort at his company. Landon saw no signs of a union at work, so he downplayed the rumors. Therefore, he was caught by surprise when the union presented authorization cards and a request for a representation election. Which statement best explains the flaw in Landon's reasoning about the organizing effort?

Accepted Answer

Landon's flaw was assuming that the absence of visible signs of union activity at work meant there was no organizing effort. Union organizers often start by discussing issues with employees outside the workplace, such as at their homes, to avoid detection and potential employer retaliation. This approach allows them to build support discreetly before making their efforts known.

Quiz 15: Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations