Question 1

Strategies to remain union-free include all of the following EXCEPT which one?
A) institute formal procedures to resolve employee complaints
B) give attention to employee growth and development needs
C) allow supervisors to adopt their own approaches to employee motivation and job design
D) offer competitive wages and benefits

Accepted Answer

All of the strategies listed have been found to be effective in maintaining a union-free workplace except for allowing supervisors to adopt their own approaches to employee motivation and job design. This can lead to inconsistent treatment of employees and create fertile ground for union organizing. A better approach is to provide supervisors with guidance and training on effective employee motivation and job design techniques.

Question 2

Which of the following conditions and/or actions may result in labour relations boards imposing a union on an employer in some Canadian jurisdictions, even with as few as 5 percent of the authorization cards signed?
A) Threats by other unions to go on strike if the workplace does not get its own union.
B) Unfair labour practices committed by the employer in the organizing process.
C) The need by government for labour relations peace in workplaces.
D) Advice from the International Labour Office.

Accepted Answer

In some Canadian jurisdictions, if an employer commits unfair labour practices during the union organizing process, it may result in the labour relations board imposing a union on the employer even with as few as 5 percent of authorization cards signed. This is because unfair labour practices can interfere with employees' right to a fair and free choice in the unionization process.

Question 3

What is the strongest reason to join a union?
A) dissatisfaction with wages, benefits, and working conditions
B) personal preference for a union and social pressure to join
C) the need to fraternize with similar employees and assert personal leadership skills
D) favouritism shown by supervisors in promotions, shift assignments, and transfers

Accepted Answer

Dissatisfaction with wages, benefits, and working conditions is often the primary reason why workers join a union as they believe that a union can help them negotiate better terms and conditions with their employer.

Question 4

In which organizing step does the collection of signed authorization cards play a major role?
A) initial organizational meeting
B) application to the labour relations board
C) formation of in-house organizing committee
D) employee/union contact

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which organizing step does the collection...

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT one of the key reasons why workers join unions in Canada?
A) to earn higher pay
B) to fulfill social needs
C) to get a voice in their work lives
D) to change the government

Accepted Answer

The key reasons why workers join unions in Canada are to earn higher pay, to fulfill social needs, and to get a voice in their work lives. They do not join unions to change the government, which is outside the scope of union activities.

Question 6

Mary Hart works for the federal government in the immigration department. Her office is located in Toronto. Which piece of labour legislation applies to her workplace?
A) the Ontario Labour Relations Code
B) the City of Toronto Labour Code
C) the Ontario Labour Relations Act
D) the Canada Labour Code

Accepted Answer

Mary Hart works for the federal government, therefore the labour legislation that applies to her workplace is the Canada Labour Code. The other options listed are specific to the province of Ontario or a city, and would not apply to a federal workplace.

Question 7

Louis, a union organizer in Ontario, needs what minimum percentage of signed authorization cards before the union can apply for a certification election?
A) 40 percent
B) 50 percent
C) 75 percent
D) 30 percent

Accepted Answer

Louis needs at least 40 percent of signed authorization cards before the union can apply for a certification election.

Question 8

Which of the following groups initiates most organizing campaigns?
A) employees
B) union organizers
C) rival unions
D) Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Accepted Answer

Employees typically initiate most organizing campaigns as they are the ones seeking to form a union or improve their working conditions. Union organizers may assist in the process, but it is usually driven by the employees themselves. Rival unions and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada may also play a role, but they are not typically the initiators of such campaigns.

Question 9

Labour boards generally have representatives from which of the following groups?
A) third-party representatives and managers
B) academia and management
C) academia and public servants
D) labour and management

Accepted Answer

Labour boards typically have representatives from both labour and management sides to ensure fair and equal representation of both groups. Third-party representatives, academia, and public servants may also be involved, but they are not necessarily a standard presence on all labour boards.

Question 10

The majority of workers in Canada are governed by legislation at which level/jurisdiction?
A) provincial
B) international
C) municipal
D) federal

Accepted Answer

The majority of workers in Canada are governed by provincial legislation, which means that each province has its own set of laws and regulations related to employment standards, workplace safety, and other labor-related issues. While the federal government does have jurisdiction over some industries and sectors, such as banking and telecommunications, most workers are covered by provincial laws.

Question 11

Jason Thomas recently joined ABC Inc. to work on the shipping wharf as a loader. He has been told that he must join the union as a condition of employment. What is this employment provision called?
A) a union shop
B) a bully provision
C) an agency shop
D) an unfair labour practice

Accepted Answer

This employment provision is called a union shop, which requires employees to join a union within a certain amount of time after being hired as a condition of continued employment.

Question 12

According to Canadian labour relations legislation, all of the following employer actions are prohibited EXCEPT which one?
A) threatening to close the business
B) stating the employer is ready to listen to employees and discuss any issue
C) increasing wages during the certification process
D) promising increased vacation if the employees vote for no union

Accepted Answer

Under Canadian labour relations legislation, employers are prohibited from threatening to close the business, increasing wages during the certification process or promising increased vacation if the employees vote for no union. However, the employer is allowed to state that they are ready to listen to employees and discuss any issue as this does not interfere with the employees' right to unionize.

Question 13

Yorkville Tire Manufacturing Company has been experiencing really bad management-employee relations for almost two years. Jack Spratt, one of the leaders among the employees, wants to help in unionizing the employees. He has met with most of the employees. What should he do next?
A) ask the workers to go on strike to put pressure on the company
B) form an in-house organizing committee
C) appeal to a broader community-including academics and international agencies-to put pressure on the employer
D) ask the labour relations board to intervene

Accepted Answer

Forming an in-house organizing committee is the best next step for Jack Spratt. This committee can work towards unionization in a coordinated and organized manner while also involving other employees who may not have been reached yet. This approach can also ensure that the employees are informed about their rights to join a union and the potential benefits of doing so, without resorting to extreme measures such as strikes or involving outside parties like international agencies or the labour relations board, which could escalate tensions between the company and the employees.

Question 14

Who is responsible for administering the union certification elections in Canada?
A) the labour relations board
B) the Canada Elections Commission
C) the union
D) the employer

Accepted Answer

The labour relations board is responsible for administering the union certification elections in Canada. They ensure that the process is conducted fairly and impartially, and that all parties have an equal opportunity to participate. The Canada Elections Commission is responsible for federal elections, not union certification elections. The union and employer may play a role in the process, but ultimately the labour relations board is responsible for overseeing the election.

Question 15

According to federal labour law, which tactic can employers use in opposing unionization?
A) review union authorization cards
B) attend union meetings
C) bargain in good faith
D) change working conditions of employees who work for the union

Accepted Answer

Employers are required by federal labor law to bargain in good faith with the union once it is formed, but they cannot use tactics like reviewing union authorization cards, attending union meetings, or changing working conditions to oppose unionization.

Question 16

In certification elections in Canada, how many employees must vote in favour of unions for them to become certified in workplaces?
A) 50 percent, plus one
B) 40 percent, plus one
C) 41 percent
D) 51 percent

Accepted Answer

In certification elections in Canada, unions must receive the support of 50 percent plus one of the employees who cast a ballot in order to become certified in a workplace.

Question 17

Employees indicate their willingness to be represented by a union by signing which of the following?
A) a selection card
B) an agreement card
C) an authorization card
D) a stipulation card

Accepted Answer

Employees indicate their willingness to be represented by a union by signing an authorization card, not a selection card, agreement card, or stipulation card.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a duty of labour relations boards?
A) to hear complaints related to unfair labour practices
B) to remedy violations of collective bargaining legislation
C) to amend labour relations legislation
D) to determine if bargaining was done in good faith

Accepted Answer

Labour relations boards are responsible for administering and enforcing labour relations legislation, hearing complaints related to unfair labour practices, and determining if bargaining was done in good faith. However, they do not have the power to amend labour relations legislation, which is the responsibility of the legislative branch of government.

Question 19

Mary works in the basement of her employer's home sewing pants. What is one of the biggest challenges facing workers like Mary in becoming unionized?
A) they do not have any political party to help them with organizing
B) they work in scattered locations
C) they are satisfied with their working conditions
D) they are satisfied with their pay

Accepted Answer

Workers like Mary who work in scattered locations can find it difficult to come together and organize due to lack of communication and coordination. This can make it challenging to form or join a union. The other options, such as not having a political party or being satisfied with working conditions and pay, may not be as significant of a barrier to unionization as the scattered locations of the workers.

Question 20

According to the text, in terms of employment relations, which of the following is a key reason why employers may begin employee involvement and empowerment programs?
A) to satisfy employment relations legislation
B) to satisfy their obligation for good faith bargaining
C) to avoid collective action by employees
D) to consolidate decision making

Accepted Answer

One key reason why employers may begin employee involvement and empowerment programs is to avoid collective action by employees. Such programs are intended to give employees a sense of involvement and control over their work, which can lead to lower levels of dissatisfaction and fewer grievances or protests. By empowering employees, employers hope to avoid the potential negative consequences of collective action, such as strikes or other work stoppages. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Quiz 14: The Dynamics of Labour Relations

Strategies to remain union-free include all of the following EXCEPT which one?

Which of the following conditions and/or actions may result in labour relations boards imposing a union on an employer in some Canadian jurisdictions, even with as few as 5 percent of the authorization cards signed?

What is the strongest reason to join a union?

In which organizing step does the collection of signed authorization cards play a major role?

Which of the following is NOT one of the key reasons why workers join unions in Canada?

Mary Hart works for the federal government in the immigration department. Her office is located in Toronto. Which piece of labour legislation applies to her workplace?

Louis, a union organizer in Ontario, needs what minimum percentage of signed authorization cards before the union can apply for a certification election?

Which of the following groups initiates most organizing campaigns?

Labour boards generally have representatives from which of the following groups?

The majority of workers in Canada are governed by legislation at which level/jurisdiction?

Jason Thomas recently joined ABC Inc. to work on the shipping wharf as a loader. He has been told that he must join the union as a condition of employment. What is this employment provision called?

According to Canadian labour relations legislation, all of the following employer actions are prohibited EXCEPT which one?

Yorkville Tire Manufacturing Company has been experiencing really bad management-employee relations for almost two years. Jack Spratt, one of the leaders among the employees, wants to help in unionizing the employees. He has met with most of the employees. What should he do next?

Who is responsible for administering the union certification elections in Canada?

According to federal labour law, which tactic can employers use in opposing unionization?

In certification elections in Canada, how many employees must vote in favour of unions for them to become certified in workplaces?

Employees indicate their willingness to be represented by a union by signing which of the following?

Which of the following is NOT a duty of labour relations boards?

Mary works in the basement of her employer's home sewing pants. What is one of the biggest challenges facing workers like Mary in becoming unionized?

According to the text, in terms of employment relations, which of the following is a key reason why employers may begin employee involvement and empowerment programs?