Question 1

According to the mainstream economics school of thought,the role of the government is to protect individual worker rights through legislation such as minimum wage laws,safety and health laws,and income protection benefits (e.g. ,unemployment compensation).

Accepted Answer

False

Question 2

The "labor problem" can be defined as undesirable outcomes created out of an employment relationship which is inequitable,contentious,and exploitive.

Accepted Answer

The definition of the labor problem includes these elements of an employment relationship that lead to negative outcomes for workers.

Question 3

According to the industrial relations school,unequal bargaining power is the primary cause of the labor problem.

Accepted Answer

The industrial relations school believes that unequal bargaining power between employers and employees is the root cause of the labor problem.

Question 4

According to the mainstream economics school of thought,unions are able to manipulate and control the supply of labor to a market just like monopolies control the supply of products to a market.

Accepted Answer

Unions can influence the supply of labor by negotiating wages, benefits, and working conditions, and by limiting the number of workers in certain industries or professions, similar to how monopolies control the supply of products to maximize profits.

Question 5

According to the human resource management school,the problem with today's labor unions is not that they interfere with competition in the market,but rather that they interfere with the development of a healthy working relationship between management and employees.

Accepted Answer

According to the human resource management school, the main issue with unions is seen as their potential to harm the cooperative relationship between management and employees rather than their impact on competition in the market.

Question 6

The labor problem of the early 20^th century was largely a worker or human rights problem and not a business problem.From a practical standpoint,these practices actually made very good business sense.

Accepted Answer

The labor problem of the early 20th century was both a worker or human rights problem and a business problem. Many businesses were exploiting workers and their practices were not sustainable in the long run, leading to worker unrest, strikes, and boycotts. Thus, from a practical standpoint, these practices did not make good business sense in the long term.

Question 7

Human resource professionals have greater influence in organizations where the threat of unionization is high.

Accepted Answer

In organizations where there is a threat of unionization, human resource professionals have to work closely with employees to address their concerns and improve working conditions. This gives them a greater influence in the organization and increases their role in managing employee relations.

Question 8

An independent union is one that has the power to elect its own leaders,and make all financial and strategic decisions regarding its operations.

Accepted Answer

An independent union is not controlled by an employer or any outside organization, and has the ability to make its own decisions regarding leadership and finances.

Question 9

The "labor problem" is characterized by long hours,low wages,unsafe working conditions and job insecurity stemming from management's ability to exploit and oppress workers.

Accepted Answer

This is an accurate description of the "labor problem" that historically occurred during the Industrial Revolution and has been a persistent issue in labor relations.

Question 10

Despite the poor working conditions and low wages,one safeguard that employees had in the early part of the 20^th century,was stability in employment because legally employers needed a good reason to fire someone.

Accepted Answer

In the early part of the 20th century, most employment was at-will, meaning employers could fire employees for almost any reason, without needing a good reason, leading to a lack of job security.

Question 11

According to the human resources school,unequal bargaining power is the primary cause of the labor problem.

Accepted Answer

The human resources school focuses on improving worker productivity and satisfaction through better management practices, rather than on unequal bargaining power as the primary cause of labor problems.

Question 12

Mass manufacturing can be at least partially blamed for the labor problems that existed in the early 20^th century U.S.labor markets.

Accepted Answer

Mass manufacturing led to the introduction of assembly lines and other forms of mechanization which reduced the need for skilled labor and led to the exploitation of low-skilled workers who were subjected to long hours and low wages in unsafe working conditions. This eventually led to labor movements and protests for better working conditions and higher wages.

Question 13

The mainstream economic perspective holds that efficiency,equity and voice in the employment relationship are maintained through competitive markets which lead to a fair price where labor is paid equal to the value of its contribution.

Accepted Answer

This is the mainstream economic perspective, as it argues that competitive markets ensure that labor is paid according to the value it adds to production, which leads to efficiency, equity, and voice in the employment relationship.

Question 14

Media portrayals of unions refute stereotypes that unions are corrupt,motivated by greed,and protect mostly unproductive and poor employees.

Accepted Answer

Media portrayals of unions have often reinforced the stereotype that unions are corrupt, motivated by greed, and protect mostly unproductive and poor employees. While there are examples of unions engaging in corrupt practices, this is not representative of all unions. Additionally, unions are often motivated by a desire to secure fair wages and working conditions for their members, rather than greed. Finally, unions represent a broad range of workers, from low-wage employees to highly skilled professionals, and can be instrumental in protecting the interests of all employees, not just the unproductive or poor.

Question 15

As long as competition exists in a market,the mainstream economics school of thought would suggest that there is no "labor problem" even if wages are low,work hours are long,etc.

Accepted Answer

According to the mainstream economics school of thought, competition in a market ensures that wages and working conditions are determined by the supply and demand of labor. Therefore, there is no "labor problem" in the sense that workers are paid what their labor is worth in the market. However, critics argue that this perspective overlooks power imbalances between employers and workers, as well as structural barriers to fair compensation and working conditions.

Question 16

The solution to the labor problem,according to the human resource management school,is to align worker interests with those of the employer.

Accepted Answer

According to the human resource management school, aligning worker interests with those of the employer is the solution to the labor problem.

Question 17

The media generally report employment issues from the perspective of a typical worker,as opposed to the consumer or business leader's perspective.

Accepted Answer

The media often report employment issues from various perspectives, including those of consumers, business leaders, and policymakers, not just from the perspective of a typical worker. The angle of reporting can vary significantly depending on the media outlet, the specific issue at hand, and the intended audience.

Question 18

Proponents of the human resource management school would argue that scientific management and mass production were representative of poor management practices that contributed to the labor problem.

Accepted Answer

The human resource management school emphasizes the importance of treating employees as valuable assets and recognizing their individual needs and contributions to the organization. They criticize scientific management and mass production for ignoring the human element of work and creating dehumanizing and demotivating working conditions, which led to the labor problem.

Question 19

The number of strikes in the U.S.is actually much higher than typically portrayed by the media.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The number of strikes in the U.S.is...

Question 20

The saying,"You get the union you deserve" best fits the human resources school of thought.

Accepted Answer

The human resources school of thought focuses on treating employees as valuable assets to the organization and prioritizes their satisfaction, engagement, and development. This philosophy takes into account that the quality of the union and its relationship with the company are dependent on how well the organization manages and values its employees. Therefore, the saying "You get the union you deserve" aligns with the human resources perspective, as the quality of union-management relations are a reflection of how employees are treated and managed within the organization.

Quiz 2: Labor Unions: Good or Bad