Question 1

The unionized employees and the management of Gable Electronics have had a history of hostile relations. The union contract has a no-strike clause that applies throughout the life of the labour contract. One day, 27 employees throw down their tools in disgust and walk out. They are incensed at a supervisor's comment that they will all be working weekends for the next three months. Which type of action are they engaging in?

Accepted Answer

The employees are engaging in a wildcat strike, which is an unauthorized strike that violates the no-strike clause in the union contract. It is called "wildcat" because it is not sanctioned by the union leadership.

Question 2

Union members may put pressure on an employer by refusing to work. Which of the following events are they engaged in?

Accepted Answer

Union members refusing to work is specifically known as a strike. A lockout is when an employer prevents employees from working by locking them out of the workplace. A slowdown is when employees intentionally reduce their output or work pace. A boycott is when consumers refuse to buy products or services from a particular company or organization.

Question 3

In Europe, the law requires employee wages to be set through collective bargaining with unions.

Accepted Answer

In many European countries, it is common for wages to be set through collective bargaining with unions, which is required by law in some cases.

Question 4

The teachers' union in the Toronto school district has yet to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the school board. A neutral third party has been brought in to make decisions on the issues that have prevented the two parties from agreeing on a contract. Which of the following processes has been adopted?

Accepted Answer

The process that has been adopted is arbitration, which involves a neutral third party making decisions on the issues between the two parties. Conciliation involves a third party helping the two parties reach a mutually agreeable solution, while mediation involves a third party facilitating negotiations between the two parties. Fact-finding involves a neutral third party gathering information on the issues but does not make binding decisions.

Question 5

In which type of strike can strikers be discharged or disciplined for participating?

Accepted Answer

Wildcat strikes are unauthorized by the union and violate a no-strike clause in the contract, allowing employers to discharge or discipline participants.

Question 6

Which of the following statements best captures the trend in relations between unions and management?

Accepted Answer

Union leaders are increasingly favorable toward cooperating with management as both parties recognize the benefits of collaboration in achieving mutual goals and addressing challenges in the evolving economic landscape.

Question 7

Amanda was suspended for three days by her supervisor for a disciplinary violation covered in the union contract. Amanda denies that she committed this violation. She says that the supervisor "has it in for her." She is filing a grievance. Which of the following possible actions will be Amanda's first step?

Accepted Answer

Amanda's first step should be to speak to the union steward. The steward is the designated representative for employees in the union contract and is responsible for representing the employee in the grievance process. The steward can provide advice and guidance on how to file a grievance and can help Amanda to understand her rights under the contract. The steward can also help to facilitate communication between Amanda and the supervisor to try to resolve the issue before it goes to arbitration. Filing a written complaint with the HR manager or contacting the national union for representation may be necessary later in the process, but speaking to the steward should be the initial step. Applying for arbitration should only be done after all other steps have been exhausted.

Question 8

Clark's supervisor has asked to speak with him privately about an "important matter." Clark is a unionized employee. He suspects that his supervisor plans to give him a written warning about being tardy in returning from lunch. Which of the following ideas should Clark pay heed to?

Accepted Answer

As a unionized employee, Clark has the right to have a union representative present during any disciplinary meeting. This is known as the "Weingarten right." It is important for Clark to exercise this right to ensure that his rights are protected and that any disciplinary action taken against him is fair and just. Choosing option B, insisting on a union representative, is the best course of action for Clark to take in this situation.

Question 9

Some employers provide official communication channels whereby union members can make formal complaints over contract issues and have these complaints resolved in expeditious fashion. Which of the following terms is usually associated with this organizational feature?

Accepted Answer

Grievance procedures are the organizational feature associated with providing official communication channels to union members for making formal complaints over contract issues and having them resolved in expeditious fashion. These procedures provide a mechanism for addressing disputes and conflicts arising between employers and employees. The goal is to reach a fair and equitable resolution that satisfies both parties. Grievance procedures typically involve a series of steps, such as informal discussions, formal written complaints, mediation, and arbitration.

Question 10

In order for a unionized workplace to achieve greater productivity than a non-union workplace, management must find labour-saving ways of fulfilling the desired work.

Accepted Answer

Unionized workplaces often have collective bargaining agreements that establish certain work rules and wage rates. These agreements can sometimes make it more difficult for management to make changes to the workforce or work processes. However, if management can find labour-saving ways of fulfilling the desired work, they may be able to achieve greater productivity in the unionized workplace. This may involve investing in technology or reorganizing work processes to reduce waste and increase efficiency.

Question 11

The International Labour Organization coordinates the efforts of labour unions worldwide.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The International Labour Organization coordinates the efforts...

Question 12

Union and management have failed to reach agreement during collective bargaining. During this time all employer actions have been legal. If the union calls a strike under these circumstances, which type of strike would it be?

Accepted Answer

Since all employer actions have been legal and there is no dispute over contracts or working conditions, the strike would be an economic strike, which is a strike that occurs when union members disagree with the terms of employment offered by employers.

Question 13

Class consciousness and conflict between the working class and the management class is a primary cause of unionization efforts in the Canada.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Class consciousness and conflict between the working...

Question 14

Which of the following statements best explains the nature of grievances?

Accepted Answer

A grievance is typically a formal complaint recorded in writing by a unionized employee, often related to violations of a collective bargaining agreement.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about picketing is misleading?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements about picketing...

Question 16

Disputes may arise when the employer and the union hold different interpretations of a labour contract. Which of the following is a mechanism to settle such disputes?

Accepted Answer

Grievance arbitration is a mechanism to settle disputes when there is a difference in the interpretation of a labour contract. During grievance arbitration, an impartial third party hears the evidence presented by both the employer and the union and issues a decision that is binding on both parties. Complaint conciliation and grievance mediation are also methods of settling disputes, but they are typically used before resorting to arbitration. Contract interpretation may help to clarify the meaning of contract terms, but it is not a formal mechanism for settling disputes.

Question 17

Loamite Ltd. and its union are still struggling in their contract negotiations. A neutral third party has been called in. This person is actively working with both sides to help them reach a settlement, but will not be imposing a solution. Which of the following processes is Loamite and its union engaged in?

Accepted Answer

The process described in the scenario is mediation. Mediation involves the use of a neutral third party who helps the parties negotiate and reach a settlement, but does not have the power to impose a solution.

Question 18

When an impasse in collective bargaining develops, a neutral third party may be brought in to make a decision. Which of the following processes have the negotiators turned to?

Accepted Answer

When a neutral third party is brought in to make a decision to resolve an impasse in collective bargaining, it is typically referred to as arbitration. This is different from mediation, where the neutral third party facilitates discussions and tries to reach a voluntary agreement between the parties. Conciliation is similar to mediation in that the neutral third party helps facilitate discussions but is more focused on improving communication between the parties. Fact-finding is a process where a neutral third party investigates and reports on the disputed issues, but does not make a decision on how to resolve them.

Question 19

After contract negotiations with its union reached an impasse, Sinclair Food Processing Ltd. temporarily ceased operations to prevent union members from working. Which of the following is the way of bringing pressure on their employees that Sinclair Food Processing has adopted?

Accepted Answer

Sinclair Food Processing Ltd. temporarily ceased operations, which is called a lockout. This is a tactic used by management to put pressure on union members during contract negotiations. By ceasing operations, the company prevents union members from working and earning wages, thereby incentivizing them to make concessions in the negotiations.

Question 20

Which of the following strategies does NOT provide a way for employers to pressure their employees to reach a collective agreement?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the customer base may indirectly affect the employees, but it does not provide a direct way for employers to pressure their employees to reach a collective agreement. The other options such as transferring work to other entities, subcontracting out work, and stockpiling inventories can all be used by employers to put pressure on employees to agree to certain terms, such as accepting lower wages or benefits.

Quiz 15: Unionmanagement Relations