Exam 10: Understanding Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

Once a union wins negotiating rights for bargaining union members, it must represent all the unit employees, except those who refused to join or pay dues.

The foundation for an arbitrator's decision is the wording in the collective agreement and the rights it establishes for each party.

Labour relations in the private sector have an economic foundation.

A submission to arbitrate is a statement that formally describes what issues and remedies the arbitrator must address.

What type of association are the Federation of Quebec Nurses and the Alberta Teachers' Association?

What provides the framework for Canada's labour relations system?

Management does not need any information from sources external to the organization to prepare adequately for negotiations.

Negotiators often develop a bargaining book that contains a history of contract terms and their relative importance to management.

After an agreement is reached in negotiations, it must be put into writing and be ratified by the union membership, not just endorsed by the leaders.

For an employee's grievance to be considered formally, it must be expressed orally and/or in writing ideally to the immediate supervisor.

Today, there are more women in unions than men.

Kathryn, a management negotiator, and Mark, the negotiator for the union, are both likely to present demands that are larger than either person hopes to achieve.

What are the primary reasons for employee unionization?

Mitchell is part of his local union, which is currently in talks concerning wage increases. His supervisor has just scheduled a one-on-one meeting with him to review his earnings. How can the supervisor's behaviour be described?

Unions are often concerned with changes in business practices, such as outsourcing work.

What does a bargaining unit consist of?

If an employee personally decides that the benefits will outweigh the costs of joining the union, then she or he is using the open shop provision of the collective agreement.

In all grievance arbitrations, except those involving any form of discipline, the "burden of proof" rests with the employer.

What must the grievance arbitrator do after listening to a dispute over administration of the collective agreement?

Unions and employee associations essentially have the same governance and objectives.