Question 1

While strikes have been outlawed for most public employees, they still occur in some states.

Accepted Answer

While strikes are prohibited for most public employees under federal law, some states have their own laws allowing strikes or have not enacted any laws specifically prohibiting them. So, strikes can still occur in some states.

Question 2

Favorable public-sector labor laws appear to be a significant factor encouraging growth in public-sector labor relations.

Accepted Answer

Favorable public-sector labor laws can provide protections and incentives for public-sector workers to organize and negotiate for better working conditions, wages, and benefits. This can lead to a more productive and satisfied workforce, which can contribute to overall growth in public-sector labor relations.

Question 3

If a governmental unit privatizes a government service to a private business, the private employer is likely to be covered under the Labor Management Relations Act.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 4

Supervisors and managers have been granted the right to engage in collective bargaining in some states.

Accepted Answer

Some states have granted supervisors and managers the right to engage in collective bargaining.

Question 5

Under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the President may waive employee and union rights granted under the Civil Service Reform Act.

Accepted Answer

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 includes a provision that allows the President to waive certain employee and union rights granted under the Civil Service Reform Act in the interest of national security.

Question 6

Public-sector unionization is highest in the Northeastern, Northern, and Western regions of the United States.

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, public-sector unionization rates are highest in Northeastern, Northern, and Western states.

Question 7

The Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) makes it an unfair labor practice for a party to refuse or fail to cooperate in impasse procedures.

Accepted Answer

The CSRA does make it an unfair labor practice for a party to refuse or fail to cooperate in impasse procedures.

Question 8

Like the private sector, federal sector labor relations has adopted the exclusive bargaining representation principle.

Accepted Answer

The federal sector labor relations does use the exclusive bargaining representation principle, which means that a union is the sole representative for a group of employees in negotiations with the employer.

Question 9

Union negotiators have more difficulty determining "who speaks for management" in public-sector bargaining as compared to private-sector negotiations.

Accepted Answer

In private-sector negotiations, there is typically a clear hierarchy of management that union negotiators can identify and negotiate with. However, in the public sector, decision-making authority is often diffused and unclear, making it more difficult to determine who has the final say on bargaining decisions.

Question 10

The so-called "free rider" issue is of little concern for public-sector unions.

Accepted Answer

The "free rider" issue is a key concern for public-sector unions because they represent all employees in a bargaining unit, whether they choose to join the union or not. In many states, non-union members are still required to pay union dues or fees, but some argue that this requirement violates their First Amendment rights. This issue was recently addressed by the Supreme Court in the Janus v. AFSCME case, which ruled that public-sector unions can no longer require non-union members to pay fees or dues.

Question 11

Under the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA), management is prohibited from assisting a labor organization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA),...

Question 12

The Federal Service Impasse Panel (FSIP) investigates any negotiation impasse presented to it but is not authorized to take any action to settle the dispute.

Accepted Answer

The Federal Service Impasse Panel (FSIP) is authorized to take action to settle the dispute by imposing a binding decision.

Question 13

A major advantage of the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) was that it established the framework for labor relations in the federal government by legislation, instead of by Executive Order.

Accepted Answer

The Civil Service Reform Act established a comprehensive framework for personnel management and labor relations in the federal government through legislation, including the establishment of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Prior to the CSRA, these matters were largely governed by Executive Orders, which were subject to change with each new administration.

Question 14

Like in the private sector, the market economic system controls the price, quality, and availability of most services in the public sector.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Like in the private sector, the market...

Question 15

The "sovereignty doctrine" means that elected officials retain the authority to make decisions.

Accepted Answer

The sovereignty doctrine upholds the idea of elected officials retaining the ultimate authority to make decisions, even if challenged by different branches of government or other sources of power.

Question 16

The threat of a strike seems to encourage voluntary settlement efforts at the bargaining table while the availability of interest arbitration may reduce such incentive producing a "chilling effect" on negotiations.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The threat of a strike puts pressure on both parties to come to a voluntary settlement at the bargaining table, while the availability of interest arbitration may make them less motivated to compromise and negotiate. This is because they know that an arbitrator will ultimately make the decision for them, reducing their incentive to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

Question 17

The budget tends to play a more conspicuous role in private-sector collective bargaining than it does in public-sector bargaining.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The budget tends to play a more...

Question 18

If a subject of collective bargaining is permissible, both parties are required to negotiate in good faith, even though an agreement may not be reached.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a subject of collective bargaining is...

Question 19

Under final offer arbitration (FOA), the arbitrator selects the best package settlement presented by the union or management or proposes a compromise of both positions by splitting the difference.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under final offer arbitration (FOA), the arbitrator...

Question 20

A majority of teachers, firefighters, and police are represented by public-sector unions.

Accepted Answer

A majority of teachers, firefighters, and police are represented by public-sector unions.

Quiz 13: Labor Relations in the Public Sector

While strikes have been outlawed for most public employees, they still occur in some states.

Favorable public-sector labor laws appear to be a significant factor encouraging growth in public-sector labor relations.

If a governmental unit privatizes a government service to a private business, the private employer is likely to be covered under the Labor Management Relations Act.

Supervisors and managers have been granted the right to engage in collective bargaining in some states.

Under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the President may waive employee and union rights granted under the Civil Service Reform Act.

Public-sector unionization is highest in the Northeastern, Northern, and Western regions of the United States.

The Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) makes it an unfair labor practice for a party to refuse or fail to cooperate in impasse procedures.

Like the private sector, federal sector labor relations has adopted the exclusive bargaining representation principle.

Union negotiators have more difficulty determining "who speaks for management" in public-sector bargaining as compared to private-sector negotiations.

The so-called "free rider" issue is of little concern for public-sector unions.

Under the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA), management is prohibited from assisting a labor organization.

The Federal Service Impasse Panel (FSIP) investigates any negotiation impasse presented to it but is not authorized to take any action to settle the dispute.

A major advantage of the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) was that it established the framework for labor relations in the federal government by legislation, instead of by Executive Order.

Like in the private sector, the market economic system controls the price, quality, and availability of most services in the public sector.

The "sovereignty doctrine" means that elected officials retain the authority to make decisions.

The threat of a strike seems to encourage voluntary settlement efforts at the bargaining table while the availability of interest arbitration may reduce such incentive producing a "chilling effect" on negotiations.

The budget tends to play a more conspicuous role in private-sector collective bargaining than it does in public-sector bargaining.

If a subject of collective bargaining is permissible, both parties are required to negotiate in good faith, even though an agreement may not be reached.

Under final offer arbitration (FOA), the arbitrator selects the best package settlement presented by the union or management or proposes a compromise of both positions by splitting the difference.

A majority of teachers, firefighters, and police are represented by public-sector unions.