Question 1

The National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB's) two major functions are to conduct and certify representation elections and to prevent unfair labor practices.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The NLRB is responsible for conducting and certifying representation elections, which allow employees to decide whether to unionize, and for preventing unfair labor practices by employers or unions.

Question 2

If an airline's employees decide to strike, there will be no loss of revenue, since there are other airlines to choose from.

Accepted Answer

If an airline's employees go on strike, it can lead to flight cancellations and disruptions, which can result in a loss of revenue for the airline. Additionally, some passengers may choose to avoid that particular airline altogether, resulting in a decrease in future revenue. However, other airlines may benefit from the situation and see an increase in revenue.

Question 3

Once a union has been certified, the parties to the contract have the right to bar an outside party from holding an election for more than three years.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

Under a neutrality provision, the employer pledges to oppose organizing attempts elsewhere in the company.

Accepted Answer

Under a neutrality provision, the employer agrees to remain neutral and not oppose or support any organizing attempts by employees.

Question 5

Corporate campaigns seek to put public, financial, or political pressure on employers during the organizing (and negotiating) process.

Accepted Answer

Corporate campaigns are designed to apply pressure on employers through various means such as media outreach, lobbying, and public demonstrations, with the aim of influencing their behavior during the organizing and negotiating processes.

Question 6

During distributive bargaining negotiations, management was successful at conceding on vacation increases, but the unions lost on wage supplements.

Accepted Answer

Distributive bargaining focuses on dividing a fixed amount of resources between two parties, and typically involves "win-lose" scenarios where one side gains and the other loses. In this case, management was able to give ground on vacation increases, meaning the union was able to win something, but the unions lost on wage supplements, meaning management was able to hold firm on that issue.

Question 7

At the most general level, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) holds a union representation election if a minimum of 70 percent of employees in the bargaining unit sign authorization cards.

Accepted Answer

The NLRB holds a union representation election if a minimum of 30 percent of employees in the bargaining unit sign authorization cards, not 70 percent.

Question 8

A major goal of labor unions is bargaining effectiveness, because with it comes the power and influence to make the employees' voices heard and to effect changes in the workplace.

Accepted Answer

Bargaining effectiveness is a major goal of labor unions as it allows them to negotiate better wages, benefits, and working conditions for their members, ultimately giving them more power and influence in shaping workplace policies.

Question 9

Enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) rests with the American Arbitration Association.

Accepted Answer

The NLRA is primarily enforced by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), not the American Arbitration Association. The NLRB is a federal agency responsible for enforcing the NLRA and investigating unfair labor practices. The American Arbitration Association is a non-profit organization that provides alternative dispute resolution services, including arbitration and mediation, but does not have a role in enforcing labor laws.

Question 10

Associate union membership is linked to an employee's workplace and provides representation in collective bargaining.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Associate union membership is linked to an...

Question 11

According to John Dunlop, an effective industrial relations system eliminates conflict.

Accepted Answer

John Dunlop's theory of industrial relations suggests that conflict is inevitable in the employment relationship, and an effective industrial relations system should manage and contain that conflict rather than eliminate it entirely.

Question 12

In collective bargaining, an important element of power is the relative ability of each party to withstand a strike.

Accepted Answer

The ability to withstand a strike is a significant source of power in collective bargaining because it affects the bargaining leverage of both management and labor. If one party is more capable of withstanding a strike than the other, it has an advantage in negotiations.

Question 13

Europe and the United States compete to see what has more regulations and higher levels of union membership. Currently the United States is leading with more regulations and higher levels of union membership.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Europe generally has higher levels of regulations and union membership compared to the United States.

Question 14

It is the start of negotiations and Jesse needs to reserve a room. It will be fine if she finds a small room, as there tends to be fewer people in attendance at the beginning of negotiations. By the end, she will need a large room with overflow space.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is the start of negotiations and...

Question 15

If management voluntarily recognizes a union or if a union already represents employees, the focus is shifted from dealing with employees as individuals to dealing with them as a group.

Accepted Answer

When a union is recognized, negotiations and interactions typically occur between the employer and the union on behalf of a group of employees, rather than with individual employees.

Question 16

At the strategic level, management makes basic choices such as whether to work with its union(s) or to devote its efforts to developing nonunion operations.

Accepted Answer

Yes, at the strategic level, management has to make choices such as whether to work with its union(s) or not. This decision can have a significant impact on the organization's operations and its relationship with its employees.

Question 17

Industrial relations systems ensure that acceptance always translates into convergence of interests.

Accepted Answer

Although acceptance is important in industrial relations systems, it does not necessarily guarantee convergence of interests. Conflicts and disagreements between employers and employees may still arise despite acceptance, and it is up to the system to mediate and find a resolution that is mutually beneficial.

Question 18

At the strategic level, management and unions meet head-on over the issue of union organizing.

Accepted Answer

At the strategic level, management and unions often have conflicting views on union organizing, which can lead to negotiations and conflict.

Question 19

Both the public and private sectors use mediation to facilitate negotiations.

Accepted Answer

Mediation is used by both the public sector (such as courts) and the private sector (such as businesses) to resolve disputes or facilitate negotiations.

Question 20

Labor unions' major benefit to society is the institutionalization of industrial conflict.

Accepted Answer

Labor unions provide a framework for workers to collectively negotiate and advocate for their rights and interests with their employers. By doing so, they help to establish a peaceful and organized means of addressing the inevitable conflicts between labor and management, rather than allowing those conflicts to escalate into more destructive forms of industrial conflict such as strikes, lockouts, or violence.

Quiz 14: Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations