Question 1

A criticism of conventional interest arbitration is that it:

Accepted Answer

Interest arbitration can create a dependency where parties rely on arbitration rather than negotiating settlements themselves, leading to a "narcotic effect."

Question 2

Which of the following is a responsibility of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)?

Accepted Answer

The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is responsible for supervising elections in the federal sector. Option A is incorrect because the FLRA does not lead negotiations in the federal sector, it oversees them. Option B is incorrect because while the FLRA does hear and rule on cases of arbitrations, it does not conduct them. Option C is incorrect because the FLRA does not represent federal government managers in court. Therefore, option D is the only correct choice.

Question 3

Which one of the following strategies is NOT a strategy that is commonly used to increase a public employer's cost of continuing to disagree with a union bargaining proposal?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which one of the following strategies is...

Question 4

The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)was established by:

Accepted Answer

The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) was established by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which aimed to modernize the federal personnel system and promote the interests of the public in a more efficient and effective government. The FLRA is responsible for administering and enforcing federal labor relations laws and resolving disputes between federal agencies and their employees or labor unions.

Question 5

The highest percent of public-sector employees who are union members exist at what level of government?

Accepted Answer

Local governments have the highest percent of public-sector employees who are union members compared to other levels of government. This is because local governments provide services that are closest to people's daily lives, such as garbage collection, parks, and education, and therefore have more union members who represent these public-sector employees.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT considered an unfair labor practice under the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT considered...

Question 7

Which of the following is true about privatization?

Accepted Answer

All of the statements are true about privatization.

Question 8

The federal government agency that administers the federal relations program and adjudicates unfair labor practices is the:

Accepted Answer

The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is the agency responsible for administering the federal labor relations program and adjudicating unfair labor practices.

Question 9

State laws that allow citizens to observe the collective bargaining process are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Sunshine laws refer to laws that require transparency and openness in government proceedings, including the collective bargaining process between public employees and their employer. These laws allow citizens to observe and participate in negotiations, promoting accountability and ensuring that public officials and unions are acting in the best interest of the community. Blue laws typically refer to restrictions on certain activities on Sundays, sunset laws require periodic review and reauthorization of government programs, watergate laws refer to laws enacted in response to the Watergate scandal, and fishbowl laws are not a recognized term in this context.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the rights and obligations of public-sector employees is NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

Public-sector employees have fewer rights to expression and association than private-sector workers because they are viewed as acting on behalf of the government and their actions may reflect on the government. Therefore, their rights can be limited to a greater extent than those of private-sector workers.

Question 11

The designation granted to a labor union by the federal government that indicates that the union has been selected by secret ballot of employees to be the exclusive representative of a group of employees is called:

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the designation given to a labor union selected by secret ballot of employees to be the exclusive representative of a group of employees is "exclusive recognition." Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

Question 12

Each of the following subjects is permissible in federal-sector negotiations except:

Accepted Answer

Management rights are not negotiable in federal-sector negotiations as they are considered inherent to management's responsibilities. The other subjects listed are generally negotiable.

Question 13

The public-sector employee group most likely to participate in strikes is:

Accepted Answer

Educators, particularly teachers, are often involved in strikes due to issues like pay, working conditions, and education funding.

Question 14

The impasse resolution procedure that is acclaimed as the oldest and most frequently used in the public sector is:

Accepted Answer

Mediation is the oldest and most frequently used impasse resolution procedure in the public sector, where a neutral third party helps the disputing parties reach a voluntary agreement.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is false about the differences between the public and private sectors?

Accepted Answer

Market forces do not constrain union and management negotiators in the public sector in the same way as in the private sector, due to the lack of competition and profit motive in the public sector.

Question 16

Which one of the following organizations consists of one chairperson and at least six members appointed by the President that investigate any negotiation impasse presented and is authorized to take any necessary action to settle the dispute?

Accepted Answer

The description matches the Federal Service Impasse Panel, which is composed of a chairperson and at least six members appointed by the President to investigate any negotiation impasse presented and take necessary action to settle the dispute. The other options are different agencies within the federal government that serve different functions.

Question 17

What is the labor relations term used to describe the involvement of multiple parties in the collective bargaining process,particularly applicable to state and local level public sector bargaining?

Accepted Answer

Multilateral bargaining is the labor relations term used to describe the involvement of multiple parties in the collective bargaining process, particularly applicable to state and local level public sector bargaining. It acknowledges the involvement of various stakeholders such as unions, management, elected officials, and taxpayers in the bargaining process, unlike traditional two-party collective bargaining where only the employer and the union negotiate.

Question 18

Which of the following has NOT contributed to the growth of public-sector unionization?

Accepted Answer

Privatization and downsizing of public-sector jobs have actually contributed to the decline of public-sector unionization, as there are fewer public-sector positions available for unionization. The other factors listed have all contributed to the growth of public-sector unionization.

Question 19

Which of the following is true about labor-management partnerships in the federal government?

Accepted Answer

All of the statements are true. Labor-management partnerships have been found to improve communications, President Clinton formed the National Partnership Council in 1993 to empower federal employees, President Bush dissolved the NPC in 2001, and successes from federal labor-management partnerships have been documented.

Question 20

Using the _______________ approach,an arbitrator chooses the entirety of either the union's or management's final offer covering all disputed issues.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using the _______________ approach,an arbitrator chooses the...

Quiz 13: Labor Relations in the Public Sector