Deck 14: Understanding Unionization and Collective Bargaining

Question 1

In a unionized setting,the union joins the "HR Triad" discussed throughout the text.Which of the following is not one of the union's responsibilities?

A)to maintain traditional work methods
B)to seek improvements in wages for employees
C)to abide by laws and regulations governing legal union activities
D)to offer to work with management to improve company profitability and survival
E)to bargain with line managers and HR professionals

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Edgar is a reporter for the business section of the local newspaper.In order to have better knowledge of the inner workings of the union for the town's largest employer,he has obtained permission to sit in on a regular monthly meeting on a "deep background" basis.According to your textbook,Edgar is likely to be struck by _____.

A)the enthusiasm and "gung ho" spirit of the membership
B)the low voter turnout
C)a tire iron
D)the high turnout at the meeting
E)the attendance of middle management

Answer 2

B

Question 3

National unions:

A)are umbrella organizations like the AFL-CIO
B)are all affiliated with the AFL-CIO
C)develop the general policies and procedures by which local unions operate
D)serve as the primary arbitrator in employee-employer disputes
E)routinely assist local unions in grievance-handling

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following statements about why unionization and collective bargaining are important is true?

A)Employers typically do not change their methods of operation when union organizers appear.
B)The core of union-management relations is the grievance procedure.
C)Unionization typically gives employers more flexibility in hiring new workers.
D)Unions obtain rights for their members that employees without unions do not legally have.
E)All of the above statements about why unionization and collective bargaining are important are truE.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about why unionization and collective bargaining are important is true?

A)Unions obtain rights for their members that employees without unions do not legally have.
B)Unions may help identify workplace hazards and improve the quality of work life for employees.
C)The core of union-management relations is collective bargaining.
D)The possibility of unionization can significantly influence an employer's ability to manage its vital human resources.
E)All of the above statements about why unionization and collective bargaining are important are truE.

Question 6

Which of the following statements during the election campaign would probably be viewed negatively by the NLRB?

A)Management says that unions are costly to the employees because of union dues.
B)Management says that if a union is formed,strikes may occur.
C)The union promises that a grievance procedure will ensure fair treatment of employees
D)The union promises higher wages.
E)Management says that layoffs will occur if a union is elected.

Question 7

Most large local unions elect a president and a secretary-treasurer and hire a full-time _____ to handle grievances and negotiate contracts.

A)employee spokesperson
B)union liaison
C)union steward
D)business representative
E)union delegate

Question 8

The steady decline of membership in unions in the United States can be explained by:

A)a decline in employment in industries that are highly unionized
B)an increase in service-sector employment
C)increased decertification of unions and management initiatives
D)an increase in high tech and white-collar jobs
E)all of the above

Question 9

During the first stage of the union certification process,employers must be careful not to:

A)misrepresent the facts about the union
B)threaten employees with pay reductions if they support a union
C)allow solicitation by union activists
D)make unscheduled changes in wages,benefits,or hours
E)all of the above activities are prohibited

Question 10

In order for the NLRB to be petitioned for a representation election,union organizers must secure authorization cards from _____ of the company employees who will make up the bargaining unit.

A)10%
B)30%
C)33%
D)50%
E)75%

Question 11

Which of the following statements about the early days of unions is true?

A)The beginning of the labor movement in the United States was after the Civil War during the early days of industrialization.
B)Early unions were immune to changes in economic conditions.
C)Early unions used collective bargaining.
D)Early unions all operated independently of each other.
E)All of the above statements about the early days of unions are truE.

Question 12

Germaine has been hired full-time by a large local teacher's union to handle their grievances and contract negotiations.Germaine's new job title is _____.

A)negotiator
B)steward
C)spokesperson
D)liaison
E)business representative

Question 13

A large private high school is in the midst of a union organizing campaign.Teachers,clerical employees,janitorial employees and groundskeepers are all showing high interest in the union.Which is the most likely composition of the bargaining unit(s)?

A)All school employees will be in one bargaining unit.
B)There will be two units: one for white collar employees and one for blue collar employees.
C)There will be two units: inside employees will be in one unit,with outside employees in another.
D)There will be three units: teachers will be in one unit,clerical employees in another,and blue collar employees in a thirD.
E)There will be two units: persons with high school educations or less in one unit and persons with bachelor's degrees or more education will be in the other unit.

Question 14

What happens once the union begins the campaign to collect authorization cards?

A)If the union gets 75 percent or more of the qualified employees to sign the cards,the employer must accept the union as a bargaining agent.
B)If the union gets at least 50 percent or more of the qualified employees to sign the cards,the NRLB must conduct an election.
C)The union needs 30 percent or more of the qualified employees to sign the cards in order to petition the NLRB for an election.
D)The employer usually resists the union's card-signing campaign.
E)The employer typically supports the union's card-signing campaign in order to reduce disruption in the workplace during the campaign.

Question 15

Local unions elect a(n)_____,an employee elected by his or her work unit to act as the union representative at the workplace and to respond to company actions against employees that may violate the labor agreement.

A)employee spokesperson
B)union liaison
C)union steward
D)business representative
E)union delegate

Question 16

One major function of the National Labor Relations Board is to:

A)conduct the process in which a union is chosen to represent employees
B)supervise the internal activities and finances of unions
C)settle employee-employer disputes
D)encourage the certification of unions
E)reduce the number of economic strikes

Question 17

The AFL-CIO lobbies in all of the following arenas except:

A)local politics
B)state politics
C)national politics
D)international politics
E)all of the above are lobbying arenas

Question 18

Which of the following is not a reason why many unions merged?

A)to end costly jurisdictional disputes between unions
B)to gain more financial strength
C)to cover industries and occupations previously underrepresented
D)to increase efficiency in union-organizing efforts
E)to support the move toward global expansion

Question 19

What are the responsibilities of line managers in unionization and collective bargaining?

A)to understand why employees are likely to join a union
B)to manage employees with respect and equality
C)to support the efforts of HR professionals in developing and implementing policies to support good working conditions.
D)to know what can and can't be said to employees regarding unionization during an organizing campaign
E)to do all of the above

Question 20

What is the first step in the union certification process?

A)gain employer approval of unionization
B)union-employee contact
C)get sufficient number of employees to sign authorization cards
D)set up a meeting between employees and an NLRB representative
E)inform all stakeholders of union interest

Question 21

During contract negotiations,it becomes clear that management will either agree to more generous medical benefits or to a moderate hourly wage increase.Older (thus,more senior)union members already make high wages and they have many medical expenses for themselves and their families.Younger (less senior)union members make lower wages and,since they are younger and less likely to be married or have children,they are not very interested in medical benefits.In order for the union to present a united face to management at the bargaining table,what needs to occur here?

A)intraorganizational bargaining
B)distributive bargaining
C)integrative bargaining
D)continuous bargaining
E)concessionary bargaining

Question 22

Which of the following statements about continuous bargaining as a means of contract negotiation is true?

A)Continuous bargaining uses no outside experts because those involved know firsthand the problems that need to be dealt with.
B)Continuous bargaining focuses on internal problems rather than external events.
C)Continuous bargaining uses an authoritative approach to problem-solving.
D)With continuous bargaining,frequent meetings are helD.
E)All of the above statements about continuous bargaining are truE.

Question 23

When several unions bargain with a single employer,it is called:

A)inclusive
B)coordinated
C)collaborative
D)multiemployee
E)distributive

Question 24

Which of the following statements about union instrumentality is true?

A)The more employees believe a union can obtain positive work aspects,the more instrumental employees perceive the union to be in removing the causes of their dissatisfaction.
B)Employee willingness to support a union is related strictly to union instrumentality over monetary aspects of employment.
C)Employees are interested in unionization when costs exceed benefits.
D)Union instrumentality reflects the level of dissatisfaction felt by employees.
E)Union instrumentality is determined by the level of decentralization within the organization.

Question 25

If a certification election is held,and the union loses,how soon can a new election be held?

A)the next month
B)in six months
C)in one year
D)never,a new union would have to petition to be certified
E)there is no time restriction on certification elections

Question 26

The check-out clerks at a large grocery store are in negotiations with management.The last remaining issue to settle is the hourly wage.In their earlier meetings,the clerks' bargaining committee has decided that although they are demanding $9.50 an hour,they will settle for nothing less than $8.75.Management's bargaining committee has decided that their highest offer will be $8.50.Union's figure of $8.75 is its _____.

A)initial demand point
B)target point
C)resistance point
D)strike point
E)settlement point

Question 27

Which of the following types of bargaining used in contract negotiation results in a win-lose situation?

A)intraorganizational
B)distributive
C)integrative
D)continuous
E)concessionary

Question 28

Collective bargaining is a complex process in which union members and management negotiators maneuver to win the most advantageous contract.How the issues are settled depends on:

A)the quality of the union-management relationship
B)whether the organization is centralized
C)the degree of formalization within the organization
D)the organizational mission
E)all of the above

Question 29

When a single union negotiates with several companies,the employers may bargain as a group.At the local level this is called _____ bargaining.

A)coordinated
B)distributive
C)collective
D)multiemployer
E)collaborative

Question 30

Which of the following statements is not true about cooperative union-management relationships?

A)the union and management are partners
B)cooperative arrangements are particularly fragile
C)the union is jointly responsible with management for reaching a suitable solution to a business challenge
D)labor and management solve problems,share information,and integrate outcomes.
E)These relationships are more common in the U.S.than in Europe

Question 31

The check-out clerks at a large grocery store are in negotiations with management.The last remaining issue to settle is the hourly wage.In their earlier meetings,the clerks' bargaining committee has decided that although they are demanding $9.50 an hour,they will settle for nothing less than $8.75.Management's bargaining committee has decided that their highest offer will be $8.50.This situation is an example of _____.

A)a negative settlement range
B)a positive settlement range
C)an incompatible settlement range
D)a distributive settlement range
E)a settlement range of $.25

Question 32

During contract negotiations,one of the negotiators says to his opposing negotiator,"Let's think out of the box on this problem.We are stuck on trying to divide up the pie.Why don't we try to make the pie bigger? That way we can both benefit." This negotiator is trying to move toward _____ bargaining.

A)intraorganizational
B)distributive
C)integrative
D)continuous
E)concessionary

Question 33

When economic conditions threaten the very existence of the unionized organization,_____ bargaining is often used so the organization can survive.

A)intraorganizational
B)distributive
C)integrative
D)continuous
E)concessionary

Question 34

Decertification elections:

A)are conducted by employers
B)can remove a union from representation
C)are conduced by the local union
D)are conducted by the national union
E)can pre-empt the card-signing campaign

Question 35

Which of the following describes an employee who would most likely be able to force an employer to improve work conditions?

A)Goran is the only person Hartley Construction employs who will clean debris from work sites.
B)Bill is a skillful market researcher for a marketing consulting firm.
C)Ana manages a database for a telemarketer and is the only one who understands the system she designed.
D)Karin is the only person in her office who can use the accounting software that the company bought even though it is simple to use.
E)Adam has a commercial driver's license and a twenty-year safe driving record.

Question 36

The intention of _____ bargaining between union and management representatives is to develop a union-management structure capable of adapting positively and productively to sudden environmental changes.

A)integrative
B)continuous
C)concessionary
D)intraorganizational
E)distributive

Question 37

Last year,Mukluk,Inc. ,a small family-owned manufacturer of mud and snow boots was bought by a larger organization when the founder of the small firm decided to retire.With the change in management came many changes in policies,procedures and organizational culture.It used to be a "laid-back" and informal organization,where any line employee could talk personally with the founder.Now,rules are strict,production quotas are high,and line employees are grumbling that the supervisors are "slave drivers." What has changed about this organization that will make it prone to unionization?

A)the collective bargaining climate
B)the exclusivity of the employees
C)the psychological contract
D)the situational instrumentality
E)the essentiality of the jobs

Question 38

Which of the following is an example of a condition that strongly influences an employee's decision to join a union?

A)organizational mission statement
B)union instrumentality
C)employee personality
D)management's open door policy
E)a lack of formalization

Question 39

What type of union-management relationship is becoming increasingly common today?

A)adversarial
B)cooperative
C)reciprocal
D)administrative
E)paternal

Question 40

Which of the following statements about the composition of negotiating committees is true?

A)The employer and the union together select the management representative.
B)Lawyers are not selected as members of negotiating committees.
C)National union representatives are not included in any negotiating committee.
D)The union does not have to have management approval of its representative on the negotiating committee.
E)No one who is not a member of the union or an employee of the organization can be a member of the negotiating committeE.

Question 41

Unions should have a grievance-handling procedure that aids in effectively processing grievances without being guilty of unfair representation.Unfair representation occurs when the union:

A)dismisses a grievance without investigating its merits
B)directly disregards the employee's interests
C)refuses to investigate a grievance because of the employee's race
D)fails to process the grievance to a reasonable conclusion
E)does any or all of the above

Question 42

If,while engaged in a contract negotiation,a union representative were to ask management to use only union-made component parts and materials,it would be an example of a(n)_____ issue.

A)lose-lose
B)zero-sum
C)prohibited
D)make-or-break
E)win-lose

Question 43

The flight attendants at Interstate Airlines are very unhappy with the scheduling practices,but Interstate Airlines' management is not being cooperative on this issue during contract negotiations.Consequently,the flight attendants are continuing to serve drinks to passengers,but they bring the drinks out from the kitchen one cup at a time instead of using the beverage cart.The flight attendants are using the strategy of a(n)_____.

A)passive-aggressive strike
B)work slowdown
C)on-the-job strike
D)boycott
E)customer campaign

Question 44

The most common type of grievance filed by unions is _____.

A)discipline and discharge
B)allocation of overtime
C)allocation of shift work
D)safety and health
E)improper promotions

Question 45

Which of the following is an example of a mandatory issue to be discussed during a collective bargaining session?

A)number of new hires
B)pricing strategy for new products
C)wage rates
D)product design
E)new product development process

Question 46

Which of the following is an example of a permissive issue to be discussed during a collective bargaining session?

A)benefit package
B)number of new hires
C)wage rates
D)overtime pay
E)indirect compensation

Question 47

MegaChemicals,Inc. ,has reached a bargaining impasse with its chemical workers union.Because of a serious fear of sabotage,the management of MegaChemicals has decided to close down operations until the bargaining impasse is settled.This action is called a(n)_____.

A)unfair labor practice
B)work slowdown
C)management boycott
D)lockout
E)reverse strike

Question 48

Of all the administrative issues covered in the contract,the issue of most concern to employees is _____.

A)safety
B)discipline
C)grievance procedure
D)seniority
E)job security

Question 49

Before negotiations begin with management,the union should:

A)collect information on the financial situation of the company
B)examine negotiation results at similar companies
C)determine the attitude of management toward various issues as reflected in past negotiations
D)gather information on the attitudes and desires of employees
E)do all of the above

Question 50

When the butchers at Acme Meat Processing Company went on strike,its members formed picket lines at grocery stores that carried Acme products.The union members in the picket lines asked shoppers not to shop at these stores until they stopped carrying Acme products.This union action is called a(n)_____ and is _____.

A)secondary boycott,illegal
B)union support technique,legal
C)primary boycott,legal
D)employee vendetta,illegal
E)corporate campaign,legal

Question 51

An arbitrator:

A)is a neutral third party that helps the union and management negotiators reach a voluntary agreement
B)determines the conditions of the agreement that ends the negotiation deadlock
C)may make suggestions and recommendations based on his or her expertise
D)must have the trust and respect of both parties if he or she is to have any success at ending the deadlock
E)has no power to impose a solution

Question 52

Which of the following statements about grievance procedures is true?

A)The cost of arbitration is always borne by management.
B)Management is typically the party that files the grievance.
C)HR professionals are involved in the grievance procedures at the very first step
D)The first stage in the grievance procedure involves the aggrieved party contacting the union stewarD.
E)About 50 percent of contracts provide for a grievance procedure

Question 53

A mediator:

A)is a neutral third party that helps the union and management negotiators reach a voluntary agreement
B)must have the trust and respect of both parties if he or she is to have any success
C)must have sufficient expertise to convince the union and employer he or she will be fair and equitable
D)has no power to impose a solution,he or she can only facilitate
E)is accurately described by all of the above

Question 54

In which of the following industries are you most likely to find wide-area and multicraft bargaining?

A)telecommunications
B)aviation
C)contract construction
D)medical
E)railroad

Question 55

When the butchers at Acme Meat Processing Company went on strike,its members formed picket lines at grocery stores that carried Acme products.The union members in the picket lines asked shoppers to not buy meat processed by Acme.Their slogan was,"No Acme Baloney!" This union action is called a(n):

A)secondary boycott
B)union support technique
C)primary boycott
D)employee vendetta
E)intermediary involvement device

Question 56

Before negotiations with the union,management needs to:

A)survey employees to find out what union demands are before they are put on the table
B)prepare statistical displays and supportive data that the company will need during negotiations
C)hire a labor relations expert to make sure nothing illegal is agreed to
D)announce across-the-board pay increases
E)confirm its bargaining position with the National Labor Relations Board

Question 57

The most direct and dramatic response to a union-management negotiation deadlock that the union can make is a:

A)primary boycott
B)work slowdown
C)lockout
D)strike
E)secondary boycott

Question 58

Which of the following issues would most likely cause management to lodge a grievance?

A)wage and work schedules
B)absenteeism and discharge
C)discipline over employee substance abuse
D)wildcat strikes
E)outsourcing and part-time workers

Question 59

Which of the following is a good measure of how well the union-management negotiation process works?

A)the need for government intervention
B)the duration of contract negotiations
C)the use of mediation and arbitration
D)the outcome of member ratification votes
E)all of the above

Question 60

From management's point of view,both cost considerations and smooth daily operations indicate that an effective grievance procedure is one that settles grievances at the _____ stage.

A)first
B)second
C)third
D)fourth (arbitration stage)
E)none of the above stages is preferable to another

Question 61

The Labor-Management Relations Act specifies the issues that must be included in collective bargaining.

Question 62

Unions are organizations and have internal HR functions,as do other types of organizations.The major difference is that they are exempt from federal labor laws.

Question 63

Dues checkoff is an agreement for the payment of dues through deductions from employees' paychecks.

Question 64

A fundamental task in training negotiators lies in identifying and eliminating false "fixed pie" assumptions and preparing them to look for trade-offs between issues of different value to each side.

Question 65

The success of a strike depends on its ability to cause economic hardship to the employer.

Question 66

The automobile industry,the steel industry,and the rubber industry are all examples of smokestack industries which have sought concessions from unions.

Question 67

Unionization is typically the first recourse of employees who are dissatisfied with some aspect of their jobs.

Question 68

Distributive bargaining results in a win-win situation.

Question 69

By law,only current employees can initially contact union organizers.The union cannot legally contact company employees.

Question 70

Early unions were concerned about union shops and the regulation of apprenticeships to prevent the replacement of journeymen employees.

Question 71

A certification election determines if the majority of employees want a union.

Question 72

The three most important influences on an employee's decision to join a union are dissatisfaction at work,lack of power,and union instrumentality.

Question 73

Employers usually support the union's authorization card signing campaign to minimize workplace disruption.

Question 74

In a corporate campaign,a union may ask the public and other unions to write letters to a company asking it to change the way it bargains with the union.

Question 75

The traditional relationship between union and management today is adversarial.

Question 76

When several unions bargain jointly with a single employer it is called collaborative bargaining.

Question 77

Unionization guarantees workers better wages and benefits.

Question 78

The union and the employer select their own representatives for contract negotiation without any input from the other party.

Question 79

Unionization is the effort by employees and outside agencies to act as a single unit when dealing with management over issues relating to their work.

Question 80

Employees have the right to solicit for unions on company property during their personal working hours.