Question 1

Many of the negotiated labor-management agreements in the United States call for the use of an arbitrator to end labor disputes.

Accepted Answer

Many labor agreements in the United States include provisions for arbitration as a way to resolve disputes between management and labor.

Question 2

Haven was recently hired to work at a production plant at Marshall Manufacturing. Upon her hiring, she was told she must join the union within 90 days in order to keep her job. Haven is employed in an agency shop.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Haven was recently hired to work at...

Question 3

Under an agency shop agreement, only union members are represented at the bargaining table.

Accepted Answer

Under an agency shop agreement, all employees are represented at the bargaining table, regardless of their union membership status. However, all employees are required to pay agency fees to help cover the cost of collective bargaining and contract administration.

Question 4

A bargaining zone is the time period during which a third party is used to reach agreement on union disputes.

Accepted Answer

A bargaining zone refers to the range of negotiation outcomes that both parties in a union dispute are willing to accept. It is not a time period during which a third party is used to reach agreement.

Question 5

Arbitration and mediation are alike in that both involve an impartial third party to help in the negotiation process. The differences in these two approaches is that an arbitrator's decision is binding and both parties agree to this on the front end; a mediator encourages the two conflicting parties to continue to negotiate and may make suggestions in pursuit of a resolution.

Accepted Answer

Arbitration and mediation are both forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that involve a neutral third party to assist in resolving a conflict. However, the key difference is that the arbitrator's decision is binding and final, whereas a mediator does not make a final decision and instead facilitates the negotiation process.

Question 6

Over the years, Jennifer has acted in a number of supporting roles on TV sitcoms. Her last contract obligated her to perform in 22 episodes for a stipend of $500 per episode. Upon completion of the 11th episode, Jennifer broke her leg and was not able to complete the episodes in a timely manner. The studio claimed that Jennifer 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 Over the years, Jennifer has acted in...

Question 7

Robert works for a company under an open shop agreement. Under this type of arrangement, Robert must join the union at his company within 90 days or he will lose his job.

Accepted Answer

In an open shop agreement, employees are not required to join the union as a condition of employment. Therefore, Robert would not lose his job if he chooses not to join the union.

Question 8

A union shop agreement is illegal in states that have passed right-to-work laws.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A union shop agreement is illegal in...

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Arkansas passed a right-to-work law in 2017, which made union shops illegal in the state.

Question 10

A grievance is a charge by managers that the union is not abiding by the terms of the negotiated labor-management agreement.

Accepted Answer

A grievance is a formal complaint by a union member or a group of union members alleging that management has violated the terms of the negotiated labor-management agreement. It is not a charge made by managers against the union.

Question 11

A mediator has the power to impose a binding settlement on labor and management.

Accepted Answer

Mediators do not have the power to impose a binding settlement on labor and management. They can only facilitate negotiations and help the parties come to a mutually agreed-upon settlement. However, in some cases, mediators may suggest or recommend certain terms to the parties.

Question 12

In the past, a variety of professionals have served as mediators. If a labor dispute were to break out 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...

Question 13

The vast majority of grievances filed by union members are negotiated and resolved by shop stewards and supervisory managers.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Shop stewards and supervisory managers are the first line of defense in resolving grievances within a unionized workplace. They handle the majority of disputes and only the most escalated cases may require involvement from higher levels of union or management leadership.

Question 14

At the Atalanta Company, labor and management have reached a stalemate 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 still reject the decision.

Accepted Answer

Once an arbitrator issues a ruling, it is binding and cannot be rejected by either party.

Question 15

Kylie 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, Kylie is not required to join the union, nor is she required to pay any fees or dues to the union. Kylie works under an agency shop agreement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Kylie works for a company in which...

Question 16

Under an open shop agreement, workers have the option to join or not join a union, if one is present in the workplace.

Accepted Answer

In an open shop agreement, workers have the choice to join or not join a union, regardless of whether one exists in the workplace.

Question 17

In an agency shop agreement, workers who do not belong to the union must pay a union fee or pay regular union dues.

Accepted Answer

In an agency shop agreement, non-union workers are required to pay either a union fee or regular union dues in exchange for representation and bargaining services provided by the union.

Question 18

The sources of many grievances include overtime rules, promotions, layoffs, and job assignments.

Accepted Answer

These are common sources of grievances in the workplace.

Question 19

The Taft-Hartley Act made the union shop agreement illegal in all states.

Accepted Answer

The Taft-Hartley Act made the union shop agreement illegal in states that adopted "right-to-work" laws, but it did not make it illegal in all states.

Question 20

Arbitration is an agreement to bring in an impartial third party to render a binding decision in a labor dispute.

Accepted Answer

Arbitration involves bringing in a neutral third party to make a final and binding decision in a labor dispute.

Quiz 12: Dealing With Employeemanagement Issues