Deck 15: Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations

Question 1

Originally, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) did not contain a list of any unfair labor practices by unions.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Preparation, in collective bargaining, includes establishing objectives for the contract, reviewing the old contract, and gathering data.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Under a checkoff provision, a person must be a union member before being hired.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

If at least 30 percent of an organization's employees sign an authorization card, the union may request that the employer voluntarily recognize the union.

Question 5

Unlike union membership for workers in businesses, union membership among government workers has remained strong.

Question 6

A craft union's bargaining power depends greatly on the control it can exercise over the supply of its workers.

Question 7

Mediation is the most formal and least used method of conflict resolution.

Question 8

Cooperation between labor and management may feature employee involvement in decision making and self-managing employer teams.

Question 9

In their labor relations, managers prefer to increase wages and benefits and to give maximum control to workers over work rules and schedules.

Question 10

Under the National Labor Relations Act, the union has a duty of fair representation, meaning that the union must provide equal representation to all members of the bargaining unit, whether or not they actually belong to the union.

Question 11

During a strike, the employer loses production unless it can hire replacement workers, and even then, productivity may be reduced.

Question 12

Joining a union, whether recognized by the employer or not, is an activity protected under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Question 13

When a union and employer negotiate a contract, they cannot bar outside parties from holding an election for more than three years.

Question 14

A union steward is a person hired by an organization's management to monitor union activity and report violations, if any.

Question 15

In a company that wants to prevent a union from organizing its workers, the human resource department should encourage supervisors to promise employees that they will receive an extra day off if they don't support the unionization effort.

Question 16

Most studies have found that union workers are more productive than nonunion workers.

Question 17

On average, unionized workers receive lower pay than their nonunionized counterparts.

Question 18

Courts generally avoid reviewing arbitrators' decisions and focus only on whether the grievance involved an issue that is subject to arbitration under the contract.

Question 19

Right-to-work laws grant both the employee and employer the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without cause or notice.

Question 20

Contract administration includes carrying out the terms of the agreement and resolving conflicts over interpretation or violation of the agreement.

Question 21

The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters is a labor union that seeks to unite plumbers and pipefitters from around the country. The members of this union exhibit the same set of skills and are proficient in relatively similar tasks. Such an association is most likely an example of a(n)

A) craft union.
B) industrial union.
C) local union
D) business union.
E) vertical union.

Question 22

Alfonso, the union steward at Fizzy Soda, is attempting to persuade members of management to make certain revisions to the company's policies on job security and work rules on behalf of the union. The union believes that company management has neglected these aspects of the company's administration system for too long. Which level of decisions is Alfonso most likely concerned with in this scenario?

A) forming labor relations strategies
B) administering agreements
C) negotiating contracts
D) terminating contracts
E) forming dissociation strategies

Question 23

Which factor has been associated with the decline in union membership?

A) high regulation in such areas as workplace safety and equal employment opportunity
B) low competition between companies for scarce human resources
C) high job growth in the manufacturing sector of the economy
D) low costs of unionized labor
E) low prospects for growth in the service industry

Question 24

Antonio, a new supervisor at Fresh Food Inc., is being trained on skills that managers and union leaders require to encourage employee-management cooperation. He is learning the different ways of dealing with employee-management conflicts and how to resolve situations in ways that benefit both parties. In the context of labor management, Antonio is receiving training on

A) checkoff provisions.
B) right-to-work laws.
C) maintenance of membership.
D) labor relations.
E) corporate campaigns.

Question 25

Kristy, a production manager at Smart Designs, believes that the formation of labor unions may have a negative impact on the performance of a company's stock. Which statement is likely to strengthen Kristy's belief?

A) Workers in unionized organizations tend to exhibit lower levels of productivity than workers in nonunion organizations.
B) Unionized organizations are often required to pay their workers higher wages and offer them more generous benefits.
C) Studies reveal that unions do not have any positive effects on performance measures, such as productivity, profits, and stock performance.
D) Unions tend to have a positive impact on the self-esteem of their members.
E) The formation of labor unions is likely to lead to conflicts between social and labor union goals.

Question 26

Organizations that are formed in order to represent their members' interests while dealing with employers are known as

A) employee guilds.
B) sororities.
C) lobbies.
D) member clubs.
E) labor unions.

Question 27

Strikes are illegal in most states for which class of workers?

A) members of the AFL-CIO
B) members of craft unions
C) members of industrial unions
D) federal and state workers
E) union stewards

Question 28

Most national unions in the United States are linked with the ________, an association that seeks to improve the shared interests of its member unions at the national level.

A) National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
B) Society of Modern Trade Workers and the Trade Federation of the States (SMTW-TFS)
C) American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
D) Chamber of Commerce (CoC)
E) National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

Question 29

A difference between an industrial union and a craft union is that only an industrial union

A) contains members who have a particular skill or occupation.
B) is often responsible for training its members through apprenticeships.
C) organizes as many employees in as wide a range of skills as possible.
D) represents a particular occupation.
E) comprises members who change employers more often.

Question 30

Identify the right statement regarding the effects of unions on company performance.

A) As a result of the type of pay system favored by unions, employees are more inclined to compete than cooperate.
B) Most studies show that union workers are less productive than nonunion workers.
C) On average, union members receive higher wages and more generous benefits than nonunion workers.
D) The introduction of a union invariably results in the employer paying less attention to employee ideas.
E) Evidence shows that unions have a large positive effect on profits.

Question 31

Identify the correct statement about the trends in international union membership.

A) In Western Europe, it is common to have union coverage rates of 80 to 90 percent.
B) Coverage rates within the United States are much higher than in most other countries.
C) U.S. employees tend to have a larger, more formal role in organizational decision making than in Western European countries.
D) Worker representatives on boards of directors are much more common in the United States than in Western European countries.
E) The union membership rate in the U.S. is second only to that of Denmark.

Question 32

With reference to the impact of unions on company performance, it can be said that companies wishing to become more competitive must

A) continually monitor their labor relations strategy.
B) prohibit unions.
C) actively encourage unions.
D) deny collective bargaining rights to their employees.
E) pay workers well above market rates.

Question 33

When employees in an organization have reason to believe that the management is overlooking their needs and interests, they are likely to respond by collectively forming

A) partnerships.
B) bureaus.
C) trade associations.
D) labor unions.
E) interest groups.

Question 34

The employees of Fantasy Textiles are concerned about company management overlooking their interests. They decide to form a union to voice their concerns and speak up for their rights. They elect Gino to represent them during negotiations. Gino's new role requires him to ensure that the terms of the labor contract are enforced and that the interests of the union are met. In this context, Gino most likely holds the position of

A) business representative.
B) chief executive officer.
C) stakeholder.
D) union trustee.
E) union steward.

Question 35

Brayden, a production manager at Helix Inc., is against the idea of forming a union. He believes that unionization may negatively affect the company's profit margins. Which statement best supports Brayden's viewpoint?

A) Union workers tend to exhibit lower levels of productivity than nonunion workers.
B) Unions are designed to cater to the interests of management rather than to those of employees.
C) Unionization tends to reduce the overall costs of labor and operations.
D) Forming an employee union will reduce the risk of work stoppages.
E) Unionization is associated with higher costs in wages and benefits.

Question 36

Employees of Nueroscience Inc. have been working to organize a union. The company's managers wish to maintain nonunion operations, because they believe the union's demands for more generous employee benefits would hurt profits. What evidence could the employees point to in support of the idea that unions are good for business?

A) Unions can reduce turnover by giving employees a way to resolve problems.
B) Whether unions make employees more productive remains open to question.
C) Unions raise wage and benefits costs.
D) Evidence has found an association between union coverage and lower profits.
E) Unions decrease productivity because of the work rules they insist on.

Question 37

Britney, a heavy equipment operator, Kristin, an operating engineer, and Sam, a construction mechanic, hail from different parts of the United States. Though they have different occupations, they are all members of the same union. In the context of types of union, Britney, Kristin, and Sam most likely belong to a(n) ________ union.

A) international
B) industrial
C) stewards
D) checkoff
E) craft

Question 38

What is true of a craft union?

A) It represents many different occupations.
B) Membership in the union is the result of working for a particular employer in the industry.
C) Changing employers is not very common.
D) It is often responsible for training members through apprenticeships.
E) It consists of members who are linked by their work in a particular industry.

Question 39

Identify the statement that characterizes an industrial union.

A) All the members are in the same occupation.
B) Union leaders try to limit the number of members in order to maintain high wages.
C) Members are linked by their work in a particular industry.
D) Members change employers more frequently than in other types of unions.
E) It is responsible for training its members through apprenticeships.

Question 40

A labor union in which all of the members have a particular skill or occupation is known as a(n) ________ union.

A) common
B) industrial
C) craft
D) regional
E) employer's

Question 41

Identify the law that regulates unions' actions with reference to their members, including financial disclosure and the conduct of elections.

A) the Hatch Act
B) the Taft-Hartley Act
C) the Landrum-Griffin Act
D) the Civil Service Reform Act
E) the Maguire Act

Question 42

The idea that unions benefit people in communities by holding employers accountable for the way they treat workers is an example of a(n) ________ goal.

A) management
B) union
C) industrial
D) societal
E) economical

Question 43

Mark and his colleagues are members of the union at Newsprint Inc. While negotiating the terms of the labor contract, they request their employer to deduct union dues from their paychecks. This type of contractual arrangement between the two parties is known as a(n)

A) agency shop.
B) checkoff provision.
C) maintenance provision.
D) trade-off provision.
E) union shop.

Question 44

Dan is a non-union employee at Lexia Inc. Although he does not intend to join the union at the company, he is still required to pay union dues as part of a union contract with the company. What does this scenario best exemplify?

A) an agency shop agreement
B) a checkoff provision
C) a union shop agreement
D) a trade-off provision
E) a closed shop agreement

Question 45

Which law permits states to pass right-to-work laws?

A) the Taft-Hartley Act
B) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
C) the Landrum-Griffin
D) the Hatch Act
E) the Maguire Act

Question 46

The National Labor Relations Board certifies a union as the exclusive representative of a group of employees when

A) the management of an organization approves of a union.
B) a union pays its dues to the board.
C) at least 51 percent of the employees join the union within a certain time (30 days) after beginning employment.
D) a majority of workers vote in favor of a union.
E) the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations votes in favor of a union.

Question 47

Steve is a new employee at Regency Inc. He wants to work for the company, but he has no desire to join the union or even consider the possibility of becoming a member in the future. Which security provision of union membership is most suitable for Steve?

A) a closed shop provision, because it gives an employee the right to participate in decision making without becoming a member
B) a maintenance of membership provision, because it allows employees to join the union as passive members
C) a union shop provision, because it helps an employee use indirect influence to affect management-union contracts
D) an agency shop provision, because it requires employees to pay union dues but does not force them to become members
E) a checkoff provision, because it requires all the employees of an organization to join the union, regardless of their preferences

Question 48

The National Labor Relations Board has two major functions: one is to prevent unfair labor practices, and the other one is to

A) conduct periodic onsite inspections of union and company financial records.
B) conduct and certify representation elections.
C) make rules and regulations for union-management relations.
D) levy punitive charges on violators.
E) monitor and regulate labor relations in small, local businesses.

Question 49

Who among the following is NOT covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)?

A) an individual employed as a supervisor
B) an individual employed in the service sector
C) an individual employed by a private-sector firm with less than 15 full-time employees
D) an individual joining a union that is not recognized by his or her employer
E) an individual refraining from activity on behalf of the union

Question 50

Arman joins the human resource department at SmartFuel Inc., where the production workers are represented by a union. Which goal would Arman most likely be expected to work toward in supporting any negotiations with the union?

A) discouraging employees from forming a union
B) making managers and workers into adversaries
C) keeping operations flexible and retaining some control over schedules
D) raising the value of workers' compensation package
E) ensuring a regular flow of new members into the union

Question 51

________ rules require that employees who join the union remain members for a certain period of time but do not require a union membership.

A) Agency shop
B) Union shop
C) Closed shop
D) Maintenance of membership
E) Checkoff provision

Question 52

Which statement is true of right-to-work laws?

A) They are federal laws that protect employees' right to lifetime employment.
B) They are state laws that make union shops, maintenance of membership, and agency shops illegal.
C) They are laws that protect the right of unions to insist that the employer hire only union members.
D) They are laws that allow terminating an existing contract and striking for a new one without notifying the employer.
E) They are federal laws that ensure that all union members get pension benefits.

Question 53

Who among the following is covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)?

A) a worker employed as a supervisor
B) a person working for a parent
C) an independent contractor
D) a worker employed by an employer subject to the Railway Labor Act
E) a worker going out on strike to secure better working conditions

Question 54

Which of the following is a union security arrangement that requires a person to pay union dues, but is not required to join the union?

A) agency shop
B) union shop
C) closed shop
D) maintenance of membership
E) checkoff provision

Question 55

What is an unfair labor practice by unions under the Taft-Hartley Act?

A) insisting on provisions that the employer may hire only workers who are union members
B) nominating candidates to union office and conducting secret-ballot elections
C) going out on strike to secure better working conditions
D) refraining from activity on behalf of the union
E) joining a union not recognized by the employer

Question 56

MaryJo, a job applicant at Sleep Corp., discovers that the job she is applying for requires her to be a union member before being hired. She also learns that this arrangement is illegal under the National Labor Relations Act. In the context of the security provisions related to union membership, this Sleep Corp. has a(n) ________ arrangement.

A) open shop
B) closed shop
C) checkoff provision
D) union shop
E) agency shop

Question 57

Which federal law, passed in 1935, supports collective bargaining and sets out the rights of employees to form unions?

A) Landrum-Griffin Act
B) Civil Rights Act
C) Wagner Act
D) Taft-Hartley Act
E) Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Question 58

Identify the right of employees that is covered under the Taft-Hartley Act.

A) the right to nominate candidates for union office
B) the right to participate in union meetings and secret-ballot elections
C) the right to choose whether they join a union or other group
D) the right to examine unions' financial records
E) the right to physically block nonstriking employees from entering the workplace

Question 59

Employees at Harper Industries have formed a union and are negotiating a union security arrangement. Which option would be most favorable to the union and also be legal?

A) a closed shop, because any employee hired must be a union member
B) an agency shop, because it requires employees to join the union for the length of the contract
C) a union shop, because it requires all employees to join the union within 30 days of their start date with the company
D) maintenance of membership rules, because they require that union members remain at the company
E) free riders, because these let employees benefit from union activities without joining the union

Question 60

Nevin joins Firebreak Inc. as an executive designer. The HR manager informs him that he will have to join the labor union within a period of 30 days from his start date. In the context of the security provisions related to union membership, Nevin's HR manager is referring to a(n) ________ arrangement.

A) closed shop
B) maintenance of membership provision
C) agency shop
D) checkoff provision
E) union shop

Question 61

The hourly employees at Cardiac Health System are dissatisfied with their union. They find that the management at Cardiac Health System communicates openly and treats them with respect in resolving problems, so they don't see much value in paying dues to a union. What option do the employees have in this situation?

A) They may negotiate for a neutrality provision to neutralize the union's authority.
B) They must accept the union, because they voted for representation in a lawful manner.
C) They can request an immediate decertification election.
D) They can call for a decertification election to take place when their contract term ends.
E) They can request that their union representative terminate the union contract.

Question 62

Identify the category of employees excluded by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from participating in organizing activities.

A) employees in multiple facilities within a single employer
B) employees covered by multiple employers
C) employees with managerial duties
D) employees who have been on strike for economic reasons for less than one year and who have been replaced by other employees
E) employees who have a community of interest in their wages, hours, and working conditions

Question 63

Which statement best describes a card-check provision?

A) It is an arrangement that allows the employer, on behalf of the union, to automatically deduct union dues from the employees' paychecks.
B) It is an agreement that if a certain percentage of employees sign an authorization card, the employer will recognize their union representation.
C) It is an alternative form of union membership in which members receive discounts on insurance and credit cards rather than representation in collective bargaining.
D) It is a formal and binding pledge by the employer not to oppose organizing efforts elsewhere in the company.
E) It is a formal and binding pledge by at least 51 percent of employees to not unionize.

Question 64

Representatives of management at Steel of Strength and of the union representing its workers are preparing to negotiate contract provisions related to job security. Which topics are most likely to be included in this round of contract negotiations?

A) work rules, rest periods, and hours of work
B) health insurance, pension plans, and bonuses
C) application of rules to apprentices and employees who are veterans
D) training programs, transfer arrangements, and relocation allowances
E) grievance procedures, job classifications, and production standards

Question 65

During contract negotiations, the union representing the teachers in District 52 is calling for a strike if the union's demands aren't met by the end of the week. A new school board member is worried about school shutting down and suggests directing the negotiators to accept the union's demands. A more experienced board member says the teachers also have reasons for not wanting to strike. What would be one of the most likely reasons for teachers not wanting to strike?

A) The school board member will picket the schools during the strike.
B) The union will likely be able to make up for some pay during the strike.
C) The janitors' union will refuse to cross the teachers' picket lines.
D) The district will not pay the teachers while they are on strike.
E) During a strike, the employer excludes workers from the workplace.

Question 66

What is true of how the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) carries out the function of preventing unfair labor practices?

A) The deadline for filing a charge is twelve months after the alleged unfair practice.
B) The NLRB has no authority to issue cease-and-desist orders to halt unfair labor.
C) The board can order the employer to reinstate workers but cannot order them to pay back pay.
D) The NLRB is not authorized to set aside the results of an election and must approach the courts for this purpose.
E) If an employer or union refuses to comply with an NLRB order, the board has the authority to petition the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Question 67

Athelia and Annabelle work at Starving Artists Inc. Athelia claims that forming a union can help enhance workers' bargaining power with management. Annabelle, however, argues that it is quite challenging to form a union. Which statement strengthens Annabelle's argument?

A) Unionized employees have low negotiating power with the management.
B) A union needs to convince a majority of workers to have a common goal.
C) Union workers generally have lower productivity than nonunion workers.
D) A union's goals must always contradict the employer's goals.
E) A union must only include members with highly conceptual skills who can easily deal with conflict resolution.

Question 68

What is the minimum percent of employees in a bargaining unit who must sign authorization cards for the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union representation election?

A) 30 percent
B) 51 percent
C) 20 percent
D) 10 percent
E) 55 percent

Question 69

Jake, a manager at Wishful Company, is concerned because negotiations with the union are breaking down, and the union is discussing a strike. What would be the major harm from management's perspective?

A) The company would have to hire replacement workers, and they might be more productive.
B) When the company does not have enough workers, production output will fall.
C) Employees will call off the strike if they do not receive pay from their employer.
D) Employees are rarely serious when they threaten to go on strike.
E) Employees will decide they are better off without union representation.

Question 70

What depicts the most complex bargaining structure in collective bargaining?

A) a craft union representing one facility
B) a teachers' union representing a large city's school district
C) a craft union representing employees in two facilities of one company
D) an industrial union representing all hourly employees of several companies
E) a carpenters' union representing the employees of one construction firm

Question 71

During an organizing campaign, what occurs when union representatives make contact with employees, present their message about the union, and invite them to sign an authorization card?

A) The unions determine who is eligible to vote.
B) The union is automatically recognized if at least 30 percent of employees agree.
C) The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) conducts a secret-ballot election if only 30 to 50 percent of employees signed cards.
D) The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) certifies the union as the exclusive representative of employees if the employer refuses to sign the card.
E) The employees cannot participate in any of the proceedings.

Question 72

In collective bargaining, the term ________ refers to the range of employees and employers covered by the contract.

A) arbitrated team
B) bargaining structure
C) union leverage
D) differentiated group
E) associate mediation

Question 73

Which term refers to a substitute arrangement of union membership in which members receive discounts on insurance and credit cards rather than representation in collective bargaining?

A) card-check provision
B) corporate union membership
C) indirect union provision
D) associate union membership
E) relational union membership

Question 74

Home Decor Factory and a union conducting an organizing campaign agree on the time and place of an election and a way to determine who can vote. Which type of election does this scenario best describe?

A) stipulation election
B) decertification election
C) union election
D) agreement election
E) consent election

Question 75

The ________ has the authority for certifying or decertifying a union through an election.

A) American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
B) Small Business Association (SBA)
C) National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
D) Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
E) Selective Service System (SSS)

Question 76

An employer's exclusion of workers from a workplace until they meet certain conditions is known as a

A) strike.
B) lockout.
C) mediation.
D) picket line.
E) sabbatical.

Question 77

Collective bargaining differs from one situation to another in terms of

A) bargaining provisions.
B) bargaining structure.
C) bargaining campaigns.
D) bargaining strategies.
E) bargaining techniques.

Question 78

One of the substitutes for traditional organizing is to conduct ________, which bring(s) financial, political, or public pressure on employers during union organization and contract negotiation.

A) collective coercion
B) corporate campaigns
C) indirect provisions
D) associate campaigns
E) social campaigns

Question 79

Identify the guideline that should be followed by a supervisor to discourage unions.

A) promise employees that they will receive favorable terms or conditions of employment if they forgo union activity
B) threaten employees with harsher terms and conditions of employment or employment loss if they engage in union activity
C) limit direct contact with employees
D) interrogate employees about pro-union or anti-union sentiments that they or others may have
E) report any direct or indirect signs of union activity to a core management group

Question 80

Landon, an HR manager, heard from other managers that there was talk of a union organizing effort at his company. Landon saw no signs of a union at work, so he downplayed the rumors. Therefore, he was caught by surprise when the union presented authorization cards and a request for a representation election. Which statement best explains the flaw in Landon's reasoning about the organizing effort?

A) For the organizing process to continue, at least 30 percent of the employees must sign an authorization card.
B) In an election, workers may have a choice from among more than one union.
C) In most organizing efforts, there is a hotly contested election campaign.
D) Unions usually launch an organizing campaign by discussing issues with employees at home.
E) Regulations forbid unions from using online databases to identify issues of interest to particular workers.