Question 1

The Canada Labour Code refers to "concerted activity on the part of employees in relation to their work that is designed to restrict or limit productivity." What term is used for this activity?

Accepted Answer

The term used for this activity is "work to rule." Work to rule is a work stoppage tactic in which employees only perform tasks that fall within the explicit terms of their contract or job description. This can result in reduced productivity and disruption to the workplace, but it is not as extreme as a strike or lockout.

Question 2

Worker efforts to reduce productivity can be considered a type of strike.

Accepted Answer

A strike involves workers deliberately reducing or stopping their productivity in order to put pressure on employers to meet their demands. Similarly, if workers intentionally reduce their productivity, it can be seen as a type of strike.

Question 3

Industrial dispute statistics include both strikes and lockouts.

Accepted Answer

Industrial dispute statistics typically include both strikes and lockouts as they are both considered forms of labor disputes between an employer and employees or a union representing the employees.

Question 4

What do strike frequency statistics examine?

Accepted Answer

Strike frequency statistics specifically examine the total number of strikes, focusing on the occurrence rate rather than the scale or impact of each strike.

Question 5

An examination of national strike trends across industries since the mid-1970s suggests that which of the following has a relatively high strike rate?

Accepted Answer

According to the passage, national strike trends across industries since the mid-1970s suggests that manufacturing industries have a relatively high strike rate.

Question 6

Grievance mediation is a nonbinding, voluntary process in which a neutral third party examines a grievance

Accepted Answer

Grievance mediation is indeed a nonbinding and voluntary process where a neutral third party helps parties resolve a dispute or grievance, but without making binding decisions or orders.

Question 7

A recent strike was said to occur because the union executive focused on job security issues while union members wanted wage increases rather than job security. This is an example of an intra-organizational cause of a strike.

Accepted Answer

Intra-organizational causes of strikes refer to conflicts or disagreements within the organization or union itself. In this case, the union executive and union members had different priorities, indicating an intra-organizational issue.

Question 8

Which strike statistic do the textbook authors feel is the best to use when examining strike trends over time?

Accepted Answer

The authors of the textbook argue that person-days not worked is the most meaningful statistic when examining strike trends over time because it takes into account both the frequency and length of strikes, as well as the number of workers affected. Person-days not worked measures the total number of days that workers are on strike, multiplied by the number of workers involved, providing a more accurate picture of the economic impact of strikes over time.

Question 9

Strikes are less likely to occur when the economy is doing well.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Strikes are less likely to occur when...

Question 10

All countries record strike statistics in the same way to enable international comparisons.

Accepted Answer

Strike statistics are often recorded and reported differently in different countries, making international comparisons difficult. Some countries may only record strikes that last a certain amount of time or involve a certain number of workers, while others may include all work stoppages regardless of scale or duration. Additionally, the definition of a "strike" may vary from country to country, with some including only actions that are explicitly intended to disrupt work and others including any work stoppage due to disagreements between employers and employees.

Question 11

Who initiates a lockout?

Accepted Answer

Lockouts are initiated by management as a tactic in labor negotiations to put pressure on employees and their union to accept certain terms or conditions.

Question 12

Which of the following is a work stoppage initiated by a union?

Accepted Answer

A strike is a work stoppage initiated by a union, in which union members refuse to work as a form of protest or to gain leverage in negotiations with management. Work to rule, on the other hand, is a type of job action in which employees strictly adhere to every rule and regulation included in their job description, which can slow down productivity but does not necessarily involve a work stoppage. A lockout is a work stoppage initiated by management, in which employees are prevented from working or entering the workplace until certain conditions or demands are met. A grievance is a formal complaint or dispute between an employee and an employer, usually related to working conditions or contractual obligations, but it does not necessarily involve a work stoppage.

Question 13

Wildcat strikes are legal as long as they do not occur during the term of the collective agreement.

Accepted Answer

Wildcat strikes are illegal regardless of whether they occur during the term of the collective agreement or not. These strikes are not authorized or approved by the union leadership and are often seen as a violation of the no-strike clause in the collective agreement.

Question 14

Grievances are less likely to occur in firms with strict management practices.

Accepted Answer

Grievances can arise even in firms with strict management practices if employees perceive the management to be unfair or if their needs are not adequately addressed. It is important for firms to have effective communication channels and grievance redressal mechanisms in place to address employee concerns, regardless of the level of management strictness.

Question 15

In which of the following situations do employees only perform the minimum standard required in their job?

Accepted Answer

"Work to rule" is a form of industrial action where employees strictly follow all rules and regulations, including those that are not spelled out in their job description, to protest or demonstrate their dissatisfaction with their employer, which often results in employees only performing the minimum standard required in their job. Lockouts, strikes, and wildcat strikes are all forms of industrial action that involve employees ceasing work, rather than only performing the minimum required.

Question 16

On a global scale, Canada has one of the highest levels of strikes.

Accepted Answer

Canada has one of the highest levels of strikes in the developed world.

Question 17

What is a typical management response to a wildcat strike?

Accepted Answer

Asking for a court order to send workers back to their jobs is a typical management response to a wildcat strike, as it is a legal remedy that can help restore order and prevent further disruptions to business operations. This approach is preferable to firing striking workers, which could escalate tensions and lead to even greater disruptions. Deducting wages for lost days of work or suspending collective bargaining are also possible responses, but they may not be as effective in resolving the immediate situation or addressing underlying grievances.

Question 18

Which of the following is a common strike statistic reported by HRSDC?

Accepted Answer

Person-days not worked is a common strike statistic reported by HRSDC. It refers to the number of employees who are absent from work due to the strike multiplied by the number of days the strike lasts. This is used to gauge the impact of the strike on both the employees and the employer. A, B, and D are not strike statistics reported by HRSDC.

Question 19

In final-offer arbitration, the arbitrator must craft his/her own resolution to a grievance.

Accepted Answer

In final-offer arbitration, the arbitrator must choose between the final offers presented by the disputing parties, rather than crafting their own resolution.

Question 20

An examination of national strike trends since the mid-1970s suggests that these trends are consistent across which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An examination of national strike trends since...

Quiz 9: Strikes and Dispute Resolution