Question 1

During contract negotiations,it becomes clear that management will either agree to more generous medical benefits or to a moderate hourly wage increase.Older (thus,more senior)union members already make high wages and they have many medical expenses for themselves and their families.Younger (less senior)union members make lower wages and,since they are younger and less likely to be married or have children,they are not very interested in medical benefits.In order for the union to present a united face to management at the bargaining table,what needs to occur here?

Accepted Answer

Intraorganizational bargaining is necessary in this scenario because the union must resolve internal conflicts and differences in preferences among its members (older vs. younger members) before presenting a united front to management during negotiations.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about continuous bargaining as a means of contract negotiation is true?

Accepted Answer

Continuous bargaining involves holding frequent meetings between the parties involved in order to address issues on an ongoing basis. Option A and B are incorrect because continuous bargaining may involve outside experts depending on the nature of the issues being discussed, and it can also address external events. Option C is incorrect because continuous bargaining focuses on a collaborative problem-solving approach rather than an authoritative approach.

Question 3

When several unions bargain with a single employer,it is called:

Accepted Answer

Coordinated bargaining occurs when multiple unions representing different employee groups bargain with the same employer, but each union negotiates separately for the terms and conditions of employment for their members. This is different from inclusive bargaining, where all employees are represented by one union, and collaborative bargaining, where multiple unions come together to negotiate as a single entity. Multiemployee bargaining and distributive bargaining are not applicable in this context.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about union instrumentality is true?

Accepted Answer

Union instrumentality refers to the extent to which employees believe that a union can effectively address their concerns and improve their work situation. Therefore, option A is true as it states that the more employees believe a union can obtain positive work aspects, the more instrumental employees perceive the union to be in removing the causes of their dissatisfaction. Option B is incorrect as it implies that employees only consider monetary aspects of employment when supporting a union. Option C is incorrect as it simplifies the reasons why employees may consider unionization. Option D is incorrect as it defines union instrumentality based on one specific factor (dissatisfaction) when it is a more complex concept. Option E is incorrect as it is not related to union instrumentality.

Question 5

If a certification election is held,and the union loses,how soon can a new election be held?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, if a union loses a certification election, there must be a one-year waiting period before another election can be held. This rule is designed to provide stability and prevent continuous election cycles.

Question 6

The check-out clerks at a large grocery store are in negotiations with management.The last remaining issue to settle is the hourly wage.In their earlier meetings,the clerks' bargaining committee has decided that although they are demanding $9.50 an hour,they will settle for nothing less than $8.75.Management's bargaining committee has decided that their highest offer will be $8.50.Union's figure of $8.75 is its _____.

Accepted Answer

The resistance point is the lowest acceptable outcome for the negotiator. In this scenario, the clerks' bargaining committee has decided that their resistance point is $8.75, meaning they will not accept any offer lower than that. Therefore, the answer is C.

Question 7

Which of the following types of bargaining used in contract negotiation results in a win-lose situation?

Accepted Answer

Distributive bargaining is a negotiation strategy in which one party's gain is the other party's loss. This creates a win-lose situation as one party's goal is to maximize their benefits while the other party's goal is to minimize their losses. The other types of bargaining such as intraorganizational, integrative, continuous, and concessionary can result in win-win situations as they focus on creating mutual benefits and reaching a common ground.

Question 8

Collective bargaining is a complex process in which union members and management negotiators maneuver to win the most advantageous contract.How the issues are settled depends on:

Accepted Answer

The quality of the union-management relationship is crucial in collective bargaining as it directly affects negotiations and the ability to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

Question 9

When a single union negotiates with several companies,the employers may bargain as a group.At the local level this is called _____ bargaining.

Accepted Answer

When a single union negotiates with several companies, the employers may bargain as a group. At the local level, this is called multiemployer bargaining.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is not true about cooperative union-management relationships?

Accepted Answer

The statement "These relationships are more common in the U.S. than in Europe" is not true. Cooperative union-management relationships can be found in various countries across the world, not just limited to the U.S.

Question 11

The check-out clerks at a large grocery store are in negotiations with management.The last remaining issue to settle is the hourly wage.In their earlier meetings,the clerks' bargaining committee has decided that although they are demanding $9.50 an hour,they will settle for nothing less than $8.75.Management's bargaining committee has decided that their highest offer will be $8.50.This situation is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

The highest offer by management is lower than the lowest demand by the clerks, creating a negative settlement range. This means that there is no overlap between the two parties' positions and it will be difficult to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

Question 12

During contract negotiations,one of the negotiators says to his opposing negotiator,"Let's think out of the box on this problem.We are stuck on trying to divide up the pie.Why don't we try to make the pie bigger? That way we can both benefit." This negotiator is trying to move toward _____ bargaining.

Accepted Answer

The negotiator is suggesting an integrative approach by asking to think out of the box and find a solution that benefits both parties, rather than just trying to divide a fixed amount of resources (distributive bargaining).

Question 13

When economic conditions threaten the very existence of the unionized organization,_____ bargaining is often used so the organization can survive.

Accepted Answer

Concessionary bargaining involves unions making significant concessions in exchange for job security or other benefits to ensure the survival of the organization. When economic conditions are dire, concessionary bargaining may be the only option for the union to keep members employed and the organization intact.

Question 14

Decertification elections:

Accepted Answer

Decertification elections are conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and allow employees to vote on whether or not they want to remove their union as the representative of their bargaining unit. This process is initiated by a petition from employees who no longer want to be represented by the union. If the majority of employees vote against the union, the union is decertified and loses its right to represent those employees.

Question 15

Which of the following describes an employee who would most likely be able to force an employer to improve work conditions?

Accepted Answer

Ana's unique understanding of the database system she designed gives her leverage, as her skills are critical and not easily replaceable.

Question 16

The intention of _____ bargaining between union and management representatives is to develop a union-management structure capable of adapting positively and productively to sudden environmental changes.

Accepted Answer

Integrative bargaining is a cooperative approach to negotiations where both parties work together to find a mutually beneficial solution. Its intention is to build a long-term relationship between union and management representatives, creating a foundation for future negotiations and resolving disputes. This process involves sharing information, brainstorming ideas, and reaching an agreement that satisfies both parties' interests. This approach is useful in situations where sudden environmental changes require adapting to new conditions, as both parties work together to find a solution that works for everyone.

Question 17

Last year,Mukluk,Inc. ,a small family-owned manufacturer of mud and snow boots was bought by a larger organization when the founder of the small firm decided to retire.With the change in management came many changes in policies,procedures and organizational culture.It used to be a "laid-back" and informal organization,where any line employee could talk personally with the founder.Now,rules are strict,production quotas are high,and line employees are grumbling that the supervisors are "slave drivers." What has changed about this organization that will make it prone to unionization?

Accepted Answer

The psychological contract, which refers to the unwritten expectations and obligations between an employer and employee, has been broken due to the significant changes in policies, procedures, and organizational culture. Employees who were used to a more laid-back and informal environment with personal communication with the founder now feel alienated and voiceless. This violation of trust and unfulfilled expectations may make employees more likely to seek out union representation as a means of protecting their interests.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a condition that strongly influences an employee's decision to join a union?

Accepted Answer

Union instrumentality refers to an employee's perception of the benefits and effectiveness of the union. If an employee believes that the union can provide better wages, benefits, and working conditions than they currently have, they are more likely to join the union. Therefore, union instrumentality strongly influences an employee's decision to join a union.

Question 19

What type of union-management relationship is becoming increasingly common today?

Accepted Answer

A cooperative union-management relationship is becoming increasingly common today. This type of relationship involves both parties working together to achieve common goals and solve problems. It is characterized by open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to compromise. This approach is seen as more effective in improving working conditions and increasing productivity compared to the adversarial approach, which focuses on conflicts and disagreements between the two parties.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about the composition of negotiating committees is true?

Accepted Answer

The union does not have to seek management approval for its representative on the negotiating committee. However, the other statements are incorrect. The employer and the union may have different roles in selecting the management representative, lawyers may be included in negotiating committees, national union representatives may also be included, and individuals who are not members of the union or employees of the organization may also be included in negotiating committees, depending on the nature of the negotiations.

Quiz 14: Understanding Unionization and Collective Bargaining