Question 1

Dr.Kwan,a professor at a local university,has been working with the union leaders and management at Empire Corporation to help the two sides resolve differences over desired wage levels for a new contract.First,he met with each side privately to determine any common ground for agreement.For the past week,he has worked with representatives from each side to promote communication and compromise at the bargaining table.Dr.Kwan is a(n):
A)arbitrator.
B)mediator.
C)fact finder.
D)shop stewarD.A mediator is an impartial third party who encourages both sides in a labor dispute to continue negotiating.Mediators will often make suggestions for resolving a disagreement.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Kwan is facilitating communication and encouraging compromise, making him a mediator. An arbitrator has the authority to make a final decision in a dispute, while a fact finder collects and presents information about the dispute but does not make decisions. A shop steward is a union representative within a company.

Question 2

The key difference between an agency shop agreement and an open shop agreement is that in an agency shop:
A)workers must join the union within a stipulated time period (usually 30,60,or 90 days)in order to keep their jobs,but in an open shop the workers are not required to join the union.
B)the union is restricted to a limited number of employees who perform specific types of jobs,but in an open shop membership in the union is available to all workers.
C)workers who do not join the union must pay a fee or regular dues,while in an open shop workers who choose not to join the union do not have to pay any union fees or dues.
D)workers must agree not to join a union in order to keep their jobs while in an open shop workers are free to join a union if they wish,but they are not required to do so.

Accepted Answer

In an agency shop, workers who choose not to join the union must pay a fee or regular dues, whereas in an open shop, workers who choose not to join the union do not have to pay any union fees or dues.

Question 3

In a union shop:
A)workers must join the union within a stipulated time period (usually 30,60,or 90 days)in order to keep their jobs.
B)workers must belong to the union before the company can hire them.
C)workers who do not join the union must pay a union fee.
D)workers are required to sign yellow-dog contracts.

Accepted Answer

In a union shop, workers may not be required to join the union prior to being hired, but they may be required to do so within a certain amount of time in order to maintain their employment. This is known as a union-security clause. Option A correctly describes this requirement. Options B and D are not accurate, as the company cannot require workers to join a union before hiring them, nor can they require workers to sign contracts agreeing not to join a union. Option C is partially accurate, but it only applies to workers who choose not to join the union, not all workers.

Question 4

Which of the following topics is generally covered in a negotiated labor-management agreement?
A)Corporate pricing policy
B)Grievance procedures
C)Management fringe benefits
D)Management compensation

Accepted Answer

Negotiated labor-management agreements typically cover issues related to working conditions, employee benefits, grievance procedures, and other matters impacting employee-employer relations. Corporate pricing policy, management fringe benefits, and management compensation are typically not covered in labor-management agreements.

Question 5

The process of bringing in an impartial third party to render a binding decision in a labor dispute is referred to as:
A)resolution.
B)mediation.
C)arbitration.
D)confirmation.

Accepted Answer

Mediation involves a neutral third party helping the disputing parties reach a voluntary agreement, but the decision is not binding. Arbitration, on the other hand, involves an impartial third party making a binding decision on the dispute. Therefore, C is the best choice.

Question 6

A(n)___________ is a union official who works permanently in an organization and represents employee interests on a daily basis.
A)arbitrator
B)shop steward
C)mediator
D)president

Accepted Answer

A shop steward is a union official who works permanently in an organization and represents employee interests on a daily basis. The other options, such as arbitrator and mediator, handle specific disputes and are not permanent positions within an organization. A president may be a union official, but they do not necessarily work on a daily basis within an organization.

Question 7

Amie was recently hired at Kreigmeister Industries as a repairperson.She was informed that if she chose not join the union representing her fellow repair workers,she would still have to pay a fee to the union.Apparently,Kreigmeister operates under a(n):
A)illegal arrangement,since nonmembers can never legally be required to pay fees to unions.
B)closed shop agreement.
C)union shop agreement.
D)agency shop agreement.

Accepted Answer

This is an agency shop agreement, which means that even non-union members are required to pay a fee to the union for the services it provides in negotiating and administering the collective bargaining agreement. This is legal under federal labor law.

Question 8

According to information contained in the Reaching Beyond Our Borders box in Chapter 12,U.S.unions,
A)believe that they can bargain for better wages and benefits if they globalize.
B)are staving off European and Asian unions from trying to grow and gain a stronghold on the market that the U.S.unions enjoyed.
C)the lackluster numbers of participants in unions in Europe are an indication that unions will not be "going global" anytime soon.
D)like companies,see national borders as obstacles rather than opportunities.

Accepted Answer

The Reaching Beyond Our Borders box in Chapter 12 states that U.S. unions believe that they can bargain for better wages and benefits if they globalize.

Question 9

___________ is the use of a third party to encourage labor and management to continue negotiating in an effort to settle a labor dispute or achieve a mutually acceptable labor-management agreement.
A)Arbitration
B)Mediation
C)Reconciliation
D)Intercession

Accepted Answer

Mediation involves the use of a neutral third party to help labor and management reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator does not have the power to make a decision like an arbitrator would, but rather acts as a facilitator to encourage communication and compromise. Reconciliation and intercession are not commonly used terms in labor negotiations, and arbitration involves a third party making a binding decision on the dispute, which is not the same as encouraging negotiation.

Question 10

Anna believes that her manager violated the terms of the negotiated labor-management agreement when he required her to report to work on a holiday.She has discussed her concerns with her shop steward and he agrees with her.It is likely the steward will encourage Anna to:
A)start looking for another job in a right-to-work state.
B)contact the local chapter of the ACLU.
C)send a letter of protest to the president of the union.
D)pursue a grievance over the interpretation of the labor contract.

Accepted Answer

The best choice would be for Anna and her shop steward to pursue a grievance over the interpretation of the labor contract. A labor-management agreement is a legally binding contract between the union and the employer, and if Anna believes her manager has violated the terms of the agreement, she has the right to file a grievance through her union. The grievance process is designed to resolve disagreements between management and labor over the interpretation or application of the contract. This is the most appropriate course of action for Anna and her shop steward to take in order to resolve their concerns.

Question 11

If management and union officials cannot resolve a grievance,a(n)_________ is asked to listen to the arguments of each side and to make a decision that both sides will have to comply with.
A)confirmer
B)counselor
C)arbitrator
D)mediator

Accepted Answer

An arbitrator is a neutral third party who listens to the arguments of both management and union officials and makes a final and binding decision on the grievance. This decision must be complied with by both sides. A confirmer is not a commonly used term in labor disputes, a counselor provides guidance and support but doesn't make decisions, and a mediator tries to facilitate an agreement between both sides but does not make a final decision on the grievance.

Question 12

At the Grenchit Corporation the union and management have not been able to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement on a grievance.The two sides have agreed to bring in a(n)_________ who will examine the evidence and arguments on both sides and issue a binding decision.
A)mediator
B)arbitrator
C)fact finder
D)union steward

Accepted Answer

An arbitrator is a neutral third party who is brought in by both sides to hear evidence and arguments and make a final, legally binding decision on the grievance. A mediator works with both sides to help them come to a mutually acceptable solution but does not have the power to make a decision. A fact finder is similar to an arbitrator but does not have the power to issue a binding decision. A union steward is a representative of the union who may assist in the grievance process but does not have the authority to make a final decision.

Question 13

Labor unions and management hope to resolve issues through collective bargaining.Each side comes to the table with a range of options they are willing to consider - some more appealing than others.All options that each will consider fall within the ________________.
A)the LRB list of possibilities
B)the cases of consideration
C)the lands of indifference
D)bargaining zone

Accepted Answer

The term "bargaining zone" refers to the range of options that both sides are willing to accept in order to reach an agreement through collective bargaining. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 14

Union shops are illegal in the state of North Carolina.This means that North Carolina:
A)is violating federal law.
B)has passed a right-to-work law.
C)allows firms to use yellow-dog contracts.
D)is taking advantage of a loophole in the National Labor Relations Act.

Accepted Answer

North Carolina has passed a right-to-work law which prohibits union shops, meaning employees are not required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. This law is not in violation of federal law and does not allow for the use of yellow-dog contracts, which are agreements where employers require employees to agree not to join a union as a condition of employment. There is no loophole in the National Labor Relations Act related to union shops.

Question 15

Hector is philosophically opposed to unions."Why should I be required to join an organization I don't agree with,or pay a fee to support it financially?" he asked some of his buddies who belong to the union."I thought this was a free country,but I don't feel very free when I'm told that I'll lose my job if I don't join the union.It just isn't fair." Hector's comments suggest he favors a(n)__________ shop arrangement.
A)closed
B)open
C)regulated
D)certified

Accepted Answer

Hector's opposition to being required to join or financially support a union suggests that he prefers an open shop arrangement, where employees are not required to join a union or pay union fees as a condition of employment. A closed shop would require union membership as a condition of employment, while a regulated or certified shop have different requirements and regulations in place.

Question 16

Yogi believes that an agency shop is the most desirable union security arrangement.Which of the following statements would be most likely to represent Yogi's views?
A)A union can succeed in its collective bargaining efforts only if it represents all workers.Therefore,workers should be required to join the union soon after they are hired.
B)Workers should be allowed to join a union if they wish,but they should not be required to join or pay a fee to the union in order to keep their job.
C)Workers should not be required to join a union to keep their jobs.However,since all workers enjoy the benefits obtained through collective bargaining,even those who do not join should pay a fee to support the union.
D)Unions should be replaced by employee stock ownership plans that give workers a say in the management of their firms.

Accepted Answer

An agency shop requires workers to pay a fee to a union for representation, even if they do not join the union. Yogi believes this to be the most desirable union security arrangement because non-union workers still benefit from the collective bargaining efforts of the union and should therefore contribute to its financial stability. Option A supports a closed-shop arrangement, which requires all workers to join the union. Option B supports an open-shop arrangement, which allows workers to choose whether or not to join the union. Option D suggests a completely different approach to labor relations, replacing unions with employee stock ownership plans.

Question 17

A grievance is:
A)an implication that management has broken a management - union agreement,but it must be proven.
B)an employee's perception that management has not in some way fulfilled a labor contract agreement.
C)the disappointment that members of a union feel when management refuses to participate in good faith collective bargaining.
D)the result of a poorly arbitrated conflict.

Accepted Answer

A grievance is an official complaint made by an employee about a perceived violation of a labor contract agreement. It is the employee's perception that management has not fulfilled their end of the agreement, and it must be addressed through the established grievance procedure. The other answer choices do not accurately represent what a grievance is.

Question 18

Closed shops were declared illegal by the:
A)Taft-Hartley Act.
B)Norris-LaGuardia Act.
C)National Labor Relations Board in 1929.
D)U.S.Supreme Court in 1946.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Closed shops were declared illegal by the:
A)Taft-Hartley...

Question 19

A key difference between a mediator and an arbitrator is that:
A)a mediator is appointed by labor and management,while an arbitrator is appointed by the federal government under terms set forth in the Taft-Hartley Act.
B)a mediator is an unpaid volunteer,while an arbitrator is a paid professional.
C)an arbitrator can settle a labor-management dispute by rendering a binding decision,while a mediator can only make suggestions and encourage the two sides in a dispute to continue negotiating.
D)a mediator is a lawyer who represents either labor or management in a labor dispute,while an arbitrator is an impartial advisor who listens to both sides of the dispute and offers suggestions that help the two parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

Accepted Answer

The key difference between a mediator and an arbitrator is that the arbitrator has the authority to make a binding decision that resolves the dispute, while a mediator can only suggest ideas and encourage continued negotiations between the two sides. Mediators are typically appointed by the parties involved in the dispute, while arbitrators may be appointed by the parties or by a third party such as the government. Additionally, both mediators and arbitrators may be paid professionals in some circumstances.

Question 20

In the late 1930s management at Bodenger Industries agreed to hire only those workers who were already members of the Steelworkers Union.Bodenger had agreed to a type of arrangement known as a(n):
A)closed shop.
B)open shop.
C)union shop.
D)restricted shop.

Accepted Answer

A closed shop is an arrangement where employers agree to hire only union members, making it mandatory for workers to belong to a union in order to gain access to jobs. This is what happened in the case of Bodenger Industries in the late 1930s.

Quiz 12: Dealing With Employee-Management Issues and Relationships

The key difference between an agency shop agreement and an open shop agreement is that in an agency shop:

In a union shop:

Which of the following topics is generally covered in a negotiated labor-management agreement?

The process of bringing in an impartial third party to render a binding decision in a labor dispute is referred to as:

A(n) ___________ is a union official who works permanently in an organization and represents employee interests on a daily basis.

Amie was recently hired at Kreigmeister Industries as a repairperson.She was informed that if she chose not join the union representing her fellow repair workers,she would still have to pay a fee to the union.Apparently,Kreigmeister operates under a(n) :

According to information contained in the Reaching Beyond Our Borders box in Chapter 12,U.S.unions,

___________ is the use of a third party to encourage labor and management to continue negotiating in an effort to settle a labor dispute or achieve a mutually acceptable labor-management agreement.

Anna believes that her manager violated the terms of the negotiated labor-management agreement when he required her to report to work on a holiday.She has discussed her concerns with her shop steward and he agrees with her.It is likely the steward will encourage Anna to:

If management and union officials cannot resolve a grievance,a(n) _________ is asked to listen to the arguments of each side and to make a decision that both sides will have to comply with.

At the Grenchit Corporation the union and management have not been able to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement on a grievance.The two sides have agreed to bring in a(n) _________ who will examine the evidence and arguments on both sides and issue a binding decision.

Labor unions and management hope to resolve issues through collective bargaining.Each side comes to the table with a range of options they are willing to consider - some more appealing than others.All options that each will consider fall within the ________________.

Union shops are illegal in the state of North Carolina.This means that North Carolina:

Yogi believes that an agency shop is the most desirable union security arrangement.Which of the following statements would be most likely to represent Yogi's views?

A grievance is:

Closed shops were declared illegal by the:

A key difference between a mediator and an arbitrator is that:

In the late 1930s management at Bodenger Industries agreed to hire only those workers who were already members of the Steelworkers Union.Bodenger had agreed to a type of arrangement known as a(n) :