Exam 10: Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

What are public-sector employees entitled to in order to resolve collective bargaining deadlocks?

Explain two ways unions have an impact on managers.

Which type of bargaining is a rational approach to problem solving that helps management and labour reduce conflict that occurs during collective bargaining?

Closed shop is a provision of the collective agreement that requires employers to hire only union members.

Scenario 10.1: Big Business,Big Union A union drive at the Weyburn,Saskatchewan Walmart,by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW),has been involved in lengthy court battles resulting from continuing unresolved matters between these two organizations for a decade.The UFCW,one of Canada's largest unions,first applied to the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB)to represent the Weyburn Saskatchewan Walmart workers in 2004.The union was certified in 2008,but it was overturned in court.Then in 2010,the Court of Appeal upheld the earlier decision.In December 2010,a de-certification vote by the Walmart employees was held,which is now at the Court of Appeal to see if the votes will be counted.While the union has been certified,it has yet to achieve a first collective agreement.Recently the Walmart store in Weyburn,Saskatchewan,has been found guilty of unfair labour practices by the SLRB and has been charged with interfering with the union's efforts to communicate with the workers. -Please refer to Scenario 10.1.There are four progressive steps in the labour relations process.What labour relations step are Walmart and UFCW at?

It is possible for a union to be decertified if the majority of bargaining unit members decide they would rather be represented by another union.

Scenario 10.1: Big Business,Big Union A union drive at the Weyburn,Saskatchewan Walmart,by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW),has been involved in lengthy court battles resulting from continuing unresolved matters between these two organizations for a decade.The UFCW,one of Canada's largest unions,first applied to the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB)to represent the Weyburn Saskatchewan Walmart workers in 2004.The union was certified in 2008,but it was overturned in court.Then in 2010,the Court of Appeal upheld the earlier decision.In December 2010,a de-certification vote by the Walmart employees was held,which is now at the Court of Appeal to see if the votes will be counted.While the union has been certified,it has yet to achieve a first collective agreement.Recently the Walmart store in Weyburn,Saskatchewan,has been found guilty of unfair labour practices by the SLRB and has been charged with interfering with the union's efforts to communicate with the workers. -Please refer to Scenario 10.1.There are six progressive steps that can lead to unionization,(i.e.unionizing campaign).At which step did the UFCW labour organizers seek specific information about Walmart's finances,supervisory styles,and management practices?

Union leaders occupy positions of power within their organizations;therefore,they cannot be removed from office even if they ignore the demands of union members.

What must the employer's bargaining strategy address when preparing for negotiations?

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

A party who believes that the arbitrator's award is unfair and in conflict with the collective agreement is under no obligation to comply with the award.

What does "management rights" refer to?

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.

Unilateral changes of working conditions during the certification campaign are an example of unfair labour practice.

What strike status do public-sector employees have?

The final and binding word issued by an arbitrator in a labour-management dispute is known as an arbitration award.

There are six progressive steps that can lead to unionization.At which step do labour organizers seek specific information about the employer's finances,supervisory styles,and management practices?

The National Union of Provincial Government Employees (NUPGE)is currently the largest union in Canada.

Strikes account for a large portion of total workdays lost each year.

Because of technological change,striking in many industries has the effect of curtailing the employer's operations significantly.