Question 1

The "blue flu" refers to a situation in which union members (like firefighters)who are not allowed to strike refuse to work by calling in sick.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes the meaning of the "blue flu".

Question 2

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 3

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

Accepted Answer

A boycott is a collective refusal to engage in certain activities or transactions, such as buying or using products, but it is not necessarily related to work. A strike, on the other hand, involves workers collectively refusing to work in order to demand better wages or working conditions.

Question 4

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 a mediator is to facilitate negotiations and offer advice, but she does not have the authority to make binding decisions.

Question 5

Tactics used by management when collective bargaining breaks down include injunctions and lockouts.

Accepted Answer

Management may seek court injunctions to prevent strikes or other union activities that they believe would harm their business. They may also choose to implement a lockout, which is the opposite of a strike and involves locking workers out of the workplace in an attempt to pressure them into accepting management's proposals.

Question 6

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 7

In a primary boycott,a union encourages its members and the general public not to buy the goods and services produced by a firm involved in a labor dispute.

Accepted Answer

In a primary boycott, a union directly targets the firm involved in the labor dispute by encouraging its members and the general public not to purchase its goods or services.

Question 8

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

It is not accurate to say that the union can veto the decision of the arbitrator. The purpose of bringing in an arbitrator is to have a neutral third party make a final and binding decision, which both sides have agreed to accept. The decision cannot be vetoed by either party.

Question 9

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 10

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 known as the Hatch Act, which allows federal employees to organize and form unions, but prohibits them from engaging in strikes or work slowdowns.

Question 11

In 1996,the U.S.Supreme Court ruled that primary boycotts are illegal.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled that primary boycotts are illegal. Primary boycotts involve individuals or organizations refusing to do business with a particular company or individual in order to bring about change in their policies or practices. While secondary boycotts, where an organization pressures a third party to boycott a target, have been ruled illegal in certain circumstances, primary boycotts are generally protected under the First Amendment right to free speech and association.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The strike is a powerful tool because it disrupts business and puts pressure on employers to negotiate with the union.

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

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 15

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

Under an open shop arrangement, employees are not required to join a union. They have the option of choosing to join or not to join. Therefore, Miko is not obligated to join the union within 90 days in order to keep her job.

Question 16

A cooling-off period is when workers in a critical industry return to their jobs while the union and management continue negotiations.

Accepted Answer

A cooling-off period is a temporary period where workers return to their jobs while negotiations between the union and management continue. During this time, any strikes or lockouts are prohibited.

Question 17

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 18

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 19

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 about management not abiding by the terms of the negotiated agreement is a classic example of a grievance.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Mississippi passed a right-to-work law in 1954, making it illegal to require union membership as a condition of employment. This effectively prohibits union shops in the state.

Quiz 12: Dealing With Employee-Management Issues and Relationships