Deck 8: Collective Agreement Administration

Question 1

Which of the following give details of specific practices that can be the result of a grievance or arbitration settlement?

A) clauses
B) appendixes
C) articles
D) letters of understanding

Answer 1

D

Question 2

In which part of a collective agreement would you likely find detailed information about wages and benefits?

A) clause
B) appendix
C) article
D) section

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Since North American unionism is focused on "bread and butter," management rights is perhaps the most examined area of the collective agreement.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Setting rules around workplace behaviours is an example of an important collective agreement _________.

A) contradiction
B) clause
C) purpose
D) outcome

Question 5

Collective agreements represent which of the following?

A) all workers at one location
B) all employees of the organization
C) all employees who are union members
D) all workers in the bargaining unit

Question 6

Given that unionized employees often receive more training than nonunion employees, language about training is often included in collective agreements.

Question 7

Same-sex benefits clauses provide the same benefits for same-sex and opposite-sex partners.

Question 8

In which grouping of clauses in a collective agreement would you expect to find language about a closed shop?

A) organization of work
B) education, training, and development
C) labour relations processes
D) rights of parties

Question 9

Collective agreement language that explicitly states inappropriate grounds for discrimination is known as a legislative reference.

Question 10

Overall, unions seek collective agreement language that gives the most flexibility to the organization to meet its needs.

Question 11

Appendices and schedules of a collective agreement often present pay scales.

Question 12

A clause in a collective agreement that specifies the members and functions of a joint committee is an example of which type of clause?

A) rights of parties
B) organization of work
C) labour relations processes
D) working conditions

Question 13

Generally speaking, unions seek layoff language that protects the most senior employees.

Question 14

Grievance procedures are included in collective agreements because they are required under common law.

Question 15

What is another term for a subsection of a collective agreement that gives details about how to manage a workplace issue such as layoffs or leaves?

A) clause
B) article
C) appendix
D) condition

Question 16

Employers usually seek collective agreement language that provides increased flexibility in work assignment.

Question 17

Which of the following is a form of union security?

A) residual rights
B) union shop
C) tech-change committee
D) letter of understanding

Question 18

Many collective agreements are printed in pocket-size format or are posted on the internet so employees can use them at work. This practice supports which purpose of a collective agreement?

A) defines grievance procedure
B) defines work rules
C) meets environmental commitment
D) provides equal access to information

Question 19

Given residual rights, management often seeks to add language to collective agreements that limits management's flexibility.

Question 20

Which part of a collective agreement examines a single workplace issue?

A) clause
B) appendix
C) article
D) section

Question 21

Seniority clauses in collective agreements that protect workers from layoff are a response to which management goal?

A) operational efficiency
B) shareholder consultation
C) right to terminate
D) pyramiding

Question 22

What is the name of the practice that allows employees to compound their shift premiums and overtime premiums to maximize their earnings?

A) filibustering
B) pyramiding
C) articling
D) red-circling

Question 23

Which of the following is an equity clause in collective agreements that specifies which groups are covered by the language in question?

A) explicit reference
B) legislative reference
C) equity reference
D) employment equity reference

Question 24

Grievance clauses are part of which grouping of clauses in collective agreement language?

A) organization of work
B) labour relations processes
C) rights of parties
D) working conditions

Question 25

Collective agreement language concerning discipline often includes which of the following?

A) union steward participation in manager's meeting with employee
B) reasons the supervisor is dissatisfied with work
C) where employment records are kept
D) length and location of probationary periods

Question 26

Which type of clause is the following: "Machine operators are responsible for the safe operation of their equipment and will refer all breakdowns and troubleshooting to the maintenance crew"?

A) union security
B) employee security
C) distribution of work
D) technological change

Question 27

Which of the following is often included in technology-change language?

A) employee being notified of tech change
B) union restrictions on the use of technology
C) restrictions concerning distribution of technical work
D) employee process for grieving tech change

Question 28

Why do collective agreements contain clauses on overtime and holidays when these issues are covered by provincial employment standards legislation?

A) Most unionized workplaces are covered by federal legislation.
B) Collective agreements must duplicate the provincial language.
C) Employment standards legislation does not apply to unions.
D) Negotiated benefits often exceed the legislated minimums.

Question 29

Which of the following term means that management gives up ONLY those privileges that it negotiates away in the collective agreement?

A) residual security
B) residual rights
C) management rights
D) management security

Question 30

Rates of pay and overtime are dealt with in which grouping of collective agreement clauses?

A) rights of parties
B) working conditions
C) labour relations processes
D) organization of work

Question 31

According to your text, which of the following clauses are the most referenced sections of a collective agreement?

A) conditions of work
B) organization of work
C) education, training, and development
D) rights of parties

Question 32

Which of the following is a process that protects an employee's pay at a level that is higher than the normal rate of his or her current job?

A) income security
B) job security
C) pay security
D) red-circling

Question 33

Which of the following is a warning process that tries to improve employee performance or behaviour?

A) punishment
B) just-cause discipline
C) bumping
D) corrective action

Question 34

Which of the following would be found in conditions of work clauses in collective agreements?

A) job rotation
B) management rights
C) layoff
D) Rand Formula

Question 35

What does the term "bread and butter" unionism refer to?

A) a focus on day-to-day issues, such as wages
B) union partnerships on apprenticeship programs
C) cooperative labour-management relations
D) Depression-era practices of providing meals for workers

Question 36

Many organizations introduce computers to automate parts of their operations. In which grouping of clauses in a collective agreement would you find language that deals with this issue?

A) organization of work
B) rights of parties
C) working conditions
D) labour relations processes

Question 37

Distribution of work clauses include which of the following?

A) overtime requirements
B) progressive discipline steps
C) introduction of flexible work practices
D) job classification changes

Question 38

Which term refers to preparing employees in areas of skill that are not usually associated with their job?

A) on the job training
B) multi-skill training
C) apprenticeship training
D) up-skill training

Question 39

Just-cause clauses require employers to have a valid reason (just cause) before terminating an employee. To which of the following does just cause not apply?

A) apprentices
B) probationary employees
C) laid off employees
D) disciplined employees

Question 40

A significant difference between common law and collective bargaining law relates to management's ability to exercise what right?

A) ability to assess work performance
B) ability to assign work duties
C) ability to fire employees
D) ability to reward employees

Question 41

Which of the following is a recommended way to improve clarity in collective agreement language?

A) Put similar topics together in long text sections.
B) Use legal language for added certainty.
C) Use a phrase to explain single, simple words.
D) Organize the text using headings.

Question 42

What are common types of clauses in a collective agreement?

Question 43

If the parties want to ensure that they have flexibility in their use of seniority as the basis for promotion decisions, which of the following provisions could they use?

A) The most senior person normally receives the promotion.
B) The most senior person will receive the promotion.
C) The most senior person must receive the promotion.
D) The most senior person always receives the promotion.

Question 44

Which of the following examples of wording gives specific instructions regarding the parties' behaviour?

A) will usually
B) shall
C) may
D) normally

Question 45

Which of the following is a special provision in a collective agreement that gives union leaders special protection from layoffs?

A) recall
B) seniority
C) super seniority
D) retention

Question 46

Is union or management most likely to seek collective agreement language that provides flexibility in staffing, promotion, and layoff decisions? Why? Which party is most likely to seek less flexible language on these issues? Why?

Question 47

Present three reasons why union leaders are often given special protection from layoffs through super seniority clauses.

Question 48

What is the common layout of a collective agreement?

Question 49

Why do employers and unions often choose to name the specific groups covered in equity-based collective agreement clauses (i.e., explicit reference) rather than just referencing the equity legislation (i.e., legislative reference)?

Question 50

Which of the following is a process whereby senior employees are kept employed while more junior employees are laid off?

A) recall
B) bumping
C) seniority
D) super seniority