Question 1

Governments and public sector managers did not pose the only barriers to public sector unionization.

Accepted Answer

Other barriers to public sector unionization included legal restrictions, societal attitudes towards unions, and the unique nature of public employment which often prioritized public interest over workers' rights.

Question 2

The lack of an economic "bottom line" generally makes for less constructive collective bargaining and fewer integrative "win- win" solutions to problems in the public sector.

Accepted Answer

The lack of an economic "bottom line" in the public sector can lead to less constructive collective bargaining and fewer integrative solutions to problems, as the focus may not solely be on financial outcomes.

Question 3

Why do Canadian governments and policy- makers appear to prefer conventional interest arbitration over final offer arbitration FOA),even though the latter has been shown to result in higher rates of freely negotiated settlements?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do Canadian governments and policy- makers...

Question 4

How has the most recent wave of public sector restrictions differed from previous ones?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How has the most recent wave of...

Question 5

What is the rationale for Canada's highly inconsistent system of public sector bargaining?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the rationale for Canada's highly...

Question 6

Public sector crises have been a worldwide phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

Public sector crises have occurred in many countries around the world, such as the financial crisis in Greece, the teacher strike in Mexico, and the Flint water crisis in the United States.

Question 7

No provincial government thus far appears to have come close to finding a solution to the difficulties posed by multilateral bargaining or "phantom bargaining."

Accepted Answer

The answer of No provincial government thus far appears to...

Question 8

Narrowing the scope of bargainable issues generally speeds up the process of public sector collective bargaining.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Narrowing the scope of bargainable issues generally...

Question 9

Most Canadians were unsympathetic to the illegal 1965 postal strike.

Accepted Answer

The 1965 postal strike in Canada garnered significant public sympathy, as it highlighted the workers' demands for better wages and the right to collective bargaining, leading to widespread support among the Canadian public.

Question 10

The rapid evolution of public sector bargaining in Canada came about more or less painlessly.

Accepted Answer

The evolution of public sector bargaining in Canada was not painless. It involved significant conflict and negotiations, including strikes, protests, and legal battles over the rights of unions and employees.

Question 11

Public sector expenditure reductions have generally been achieved without significant cuts to the level of public services provided.

Accepted Answer

It is difficult to generalize as it varies based on the specific country and context. In some cases, public services have been significantly reduced in order to achieve expenditure reductions.

Question 12

Unions like CUPE,PSAC and PIPSC are sitting idly by and letting provincial and federal governments impose their agendas without significant protest.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not entirely accurate. While unions have sometimes been criticized for not being "loud enough" in protesting government actions, they are often actively negotiating and advocating for their members behind the scenes. Additionally, there have been instances where unions have organized protests and strikes to push back against government policies. Therefore, the statement cannot be considered completely true.

Question 13

Unilateral action by provincial governments in the 1990s were a main source of pubilc service workers' discontent.

Accepted Answer

In the 1990s, many provincial governments implemented austerity measures, leading to cuts in public services and job losses for public service workers. These unilateral actions by the governments caused significant discontent among the workers.

Question 14

Since the resumption of "normal" collective bargaining in the late 1990s,public employers have agreed with unions on the need to make up for losses received in the earlier part of the decade.

Accepted Answer

The statement is too generalized and does not accurately reflect the diverse outcomes and attitudes across different sectors and negotiations. Collective bargaining outcomes vary widely, and there is no universal agreement on making up for past losses.

Question 15

The Ontario government has,since 1995,allowed the interest arbitration process to operate freely

Accepted Answer

Since 1995, the Ontario government has periodically intervened in the interest arbitration process, particularly in sectors like healthcare and emergency services, to address concerns about arbitration outcomes and their impact on public sector costs and policies.

Question 16

Is the "public sector crisis" unique to Canada?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

The rationales for the various provinces' public sector dispute resolution methods are almost always consistent and clearly related to the essentiality of the work performed by different groups of workers.

Accepted Answer

The rationales for public sector dispute resolution methods vary significantly across provinces and are influenced by a range of factors including political, economic, and social considerations, rather than solely the essentiality of the work performed.

Question 18

Under the PSSRA,the government is allowed to lock its employees out.

Accepted Answer

The Public Service Staff Relations Act (PSSRA) does not provide provisions for the government to lock out its employees; it primarily deals with the establishment of labor relations, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution mechanisms within the federal public service.

Question 19

During the 1990s,free public sector bargaining was the norm.

Accepted Answer

During the 1990s, many countries were implementing neoliberal policies which often included restrictions on public sector bargaining, aiming to reduce the size and influence of the public sector. This period saw a move away from free public sector bargaining towards more controlled and often centralized bargaining processes.

Question 20

The collaborative model of public sector labour relations proposed by the Fryer Committee is likely to be fully adopted by the federal government.

Accepted Answer

The Fryer Committee's recommendations for a collaborative model of public sector labour relations are often seen as idealistic and challenging to fully implement due to the complexities of government operations, varying interests, and the need for flexibility in negotiations. Full adoption by the federal government is unlikely without significant adjustments and compromises.

Quiz 8: Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining in the Public Sector