Question 1

Arbitration is an agreement to bring in an impartial third party to render a binding decision in a labor dispute.

Accepted Answer

Arbitration is a process where an impartial third party is brought in to make a binding decision in a labor dispute.

Question 2

Postal workers and other employees of the federal government who provide important services are allowed to form unions,but are denied the right to strike.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Federal law prohibits strikes by federal employees.

Question 3

Regina teaches at a local college.As a full time employee,she belongs to an organized union that represents teachers.She recently filed a grievance against her Dean claiming that the Dean prevented her promotion due to the fact that Regina's academic credentials are from a university that the Dean does not personally feel is properly accredited.As a first step to resolving the conflict between the Dean (considered a management level position)and the instructor,the union will support Regina by bringing in the national union officer to negotiate with the University's Chancellor (similar to the CEO for a company).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Regina teaches at a local college.As a...

Question 4

In the past,a variety of professionals have served as mediators.If a labor dispute were to breakout between the management at an auto manufacturer and the local union that represents workers at the auto manufacturing plant,it would be highly unusual for a university professor who has studied labor relations to be asked to mediate.The disputing parties would save his time for something more serious like arbitration.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the past,a variety of professionals have...

Question 5

The strike historically has been the most powerful weapon unions use to achieve their objectives in labor disputes.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Strikes have been used by unions as a way to put pressure on employers and show their collective power to achieve better working conditions, wages, and benefits for their members.

Question 6

Strikes have been an effective way of settling labor disputes without violence and bitterness.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Strikes have been an effective way of...

Question 7

Management at Enomoto Enterprises has assigned Alberto to work at two different facilities,which will require him to commute an extra 25 miles on the days he must work at both plants.Alberto believes that the negotiated labor-management agreement requires the company to reimburse him for the extra mileage he has to drive.Management disagrees.Alberto has decided to file a charge that management is not abiding by the terms of the negotiated agreement.Alberto's complaint is called a grievance.

Accepted Answer

Alberto's complaint fits the definition of a grievance, which is a formal complaint made by an employee against management regarding a violation or misinterpretation of the terms of a labor-management agreement or company policy.

Question 8

Ashleigh has played a number of supporting roles on TV sitcoms.In her last role,she understood her contract to obligate her to perform in 22 episodes for a stipend of $500 per episode.After completion of 11 episodes,Ashleigh became ill and was unable to complete the episodes in a timely manner.The studio claimed that Ashleigh broke her contract and they are not obligated to pay her.She is confident that an impartial third party will view her circumstances as exceptional and will rule that she be reimbursed for the 11 performances.She has agreed to mediation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ashleigh has played a number of supporting...

Question 9

A bargaining zone is the time period during which a third party is used to reach agreement on union disputes.

Accepted Answer

A bargaining zone refers to the range of possible outcomes that both parties in a negotiation are willing to accept without going to dispute or arbitration. It does not necessarily involve the use of a third party.

Question 10

A boycott occurs when workers collectively refuse to go to work.

Accepted Answer

A boycott typically involves a group of consumers or organizations refusing to purchase a particular product or service in protest of a company's actions or policies. A strike, on the other hand, involves workers collectively refusing to work in protest of workplace conditions or compensation.

Question 11

A mediator has the power to impose a binding settlement on labor and management.

Accepted Answer

A mediator does not have the power to impose a binding settlement on labor and management. They can only facilitate negotiations and suggest options for resolution, but ultimately the decision to accept a settlement rests with the parties involved.

Question 12

Labor and management at the Brookwood Company have reached an impasse in their efforts to negotiate an acceptable labor-management agreement.The two sides have agreed to bring in an arbitrator.If the arbitrator issues a ruling that the union does not like,it can veto the decision.

Accepted Answer

Generally, the decision of an arbitrator is final and binding, meaning that both sides agree in advance to accept and abide by the decision. It is not typical for one party to have veto power over the decision.

Question 13

Marina works for a company in which a union is recognized as the bargaining agent for the workers who perform her type of job.However,under the arrangements at her company,Marina is not required to join the union,nor is she required to pay any fees or dues to the union.Marina works under an agency shop agreement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Marina works for a company in which...

Question 14

Miko began working for a company that operates under an open shop arrangement.Under this type of arrangement,Miko must join the union at her company within 90 days or she will lose her job.

Accepted Answer

In an open shop arrangement, employees are not required to join a union as a condition of employment. Therefore, Miko would not lose her job if she chooses not to join the union at her company.

Question 15

Winona was recently hired to work at a production plant for Additup Manufacturing.When hired,she was told she must join the union at the plant within 90 days in order to keep her job.Winona is employed in an agency shop.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Winona was recently hired to work at...

Question 16

A Lockout is a tactic utilized by unions when collective bargaining breaks down.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A Lockout is a tactic utilized by...

Question 17

Arbitration and mediation are alike in that both involve an impartial third party to help in the negotiation process.The differences in these two approaches is that an arbitrator's decision is binding - both parties agree to this on the front end;a mediator encourages the two conflicting parties to continue to negotiate and may make suggestions in pursuit of a resolution.

Accepted Answer

Arbitration and mediation both involve a neutral third party, but arbitration results in a binding decision while mediation focuses on facilitating negotiation and may involve suggestions to reach a resolution.

Question 18

Many of the negotiated labor-management agreements in the United States call for the use of an arbitrator to end labor disputes.

Accepted Answer

Many labor-management agreements contain a provision that calls for disputes to be settled through the use of an arbitrator. This is often seen as a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to going to court.

Question 19

Jian is a well-known professor of labor relations at a major university.She recently was asked by representatives of labor and management at a nearby corporation to help them resolve a disagreement that threatened to cause a breakdown in negotiations.If Jian agrees to help,her role will be to encourage both parties to continue negotiating and to offer constructive advice and suggestions,but she will not have the authority to render a binding decision.Jian's role is that of a mediator.

Accepted Answer

Jian's role as described in the passage is that of a mediator, which is someone who helps facilitate negotiations and offers suggestions but cannot render a binding decision.

Question 20

Mississippi has passed a right-to-work law,which means that union shops are illegal in the state.

Accepted Answer

Mississippi did pass a right-to-work law, which prohibits union shops in the state.

Quiz 12: Dealing With Employee-Management Issues and Relationships