Deck 9: Understanding Labourmanagement Relations

Question 1

During the last 40 years,

A) union membership as a proportion of the total workforce has stagnated.
B) there has been a decrease of unionized workers in the public sector.
C) the union movement has been more successful in the United States than in Canada.
D) union density has increased to 50 percent of the non-farm workforce.
E) all of these are correct.

Answer 1

A
union membership as a proportion of the total workforce has stagnated.

Question 2

In which occupation are more than 70 percent of the workers unionized?

A) Teaching
B) Nursing
C) Lawyers
D) Food services
E) Management

Answer 2

A
Teaching

Question 3

What is the term for the process of dealing with employees who are represented by a union?

A) Arbitration
B) Filing a grievance
C) Mediation
D) Collective bargaining
E) Labour relations

Answer 3

E
Labour relations

Question 4

During which of the following business eras was the labour movement born?

A) Industrial Revolution
B) Marketing era
C) Entrepreneurial era
D) Production era
E) Global era

Question 5

What is the source of power for labour unions?

A) A shortage of workers
B) Collective bargaining
C) Parliament
D) Public opinion
E) All of these

Question 6

The Canadian Labour Congress is

A) an industrial union.
B) a federation of unions.
C) an international union.
D) a craft union.
E) a union.

Question 7

With regard to unionism today,which of the following is correct?

A) Union membership as a proportion of the total workforce has been steadily increasing during the last two decades.
B) The highest rate of unionism in Canada is found in Newfoundland.
C) The private sector is heavily unionized,but the public sector is not.
D) The union movement in Canada is less successful than it is in the U.S.
E) All of these are correct.

Question 8

Which of the following is correct with regard to the development of labour unions in Canada?

A) The first national labour organization in Canada was formed before Confederation.
B) The growth of unions in Canada did not really begin in earnest until the 19th century.
C) The earliest unions were made up of all workers in a certain industry (for example,automobile manufacturing).
D) The earliest unions were composed of individuals with a specific craft.
E) The earliest evidence of labour unions in Canada comes from Ontario.

Question 9

Individuals in a labour union work together to achieve all of the following except

A) better prices.
B) better working conditions.
C) shorter working hours.
D) higher pay.
E) greater benefits.

Question 10

Unions were first established in

A) Manitoba and Alberta.
B) B.C.
C) the Maritime provinces.
D) Quebec.
E) Ontario.

Question 11

Collective bargaining is the process through which ________ and ________ negotiate an agreement concerning working conditions.

A) an employee; an employer
B) union leaders; the company's employees
C) managers; their subordinates
D) union leaders; management
E) an employee; management

Question 12

Approximately what proportion of the non-farm workforce in Canada is unionized?

A) Less than one-fifth
B) Less than one-third
C) About 40 percent
D) About one-half
E) More than two-thirds

Question 13

The earliest unions in Canada were known as

A) craft unions.
B) guilds.
C) the Canadian Labour Congress.
D) industrial unions.
E) Luddites.

Question 14

The process by which union leaders and management personnel negotiate common terms and conditions of employment is known as

A) mediation.
B) collective bargaining.
C) labour unions.
D) arbitration.
E) certification.

Question 15

The unionization rate in the public sector is approximately ____percent,and in the private sector approximately ____ percent.

A) 50; 10
B) 70; 15
C) 40; 25
D) 80; 25
E) 60; 35

Question 16

The first recognizable modern labour union in Canada was formed in 1827 by ________ in Quebec City.

A) steelworkers
B) barrel makers
C) shoemakers
D) textile workers
E) railroad employees

Question 17

Which of the following is one of the factors that helps to explain the lack of growth in union membership in recent years?

A) Lack of recruiting efforts to attract new union members
B) The workforce is increasingly employed in the high-tech sector
C) Higher profitability of businesses
D) Lower unemployment rates
E) Effective anti-union strategies of employers

Question 18

A ________ is a group of individuals working together to achieve shared job-related goals.

A) credit union
B) department
C) labour lobby
D) labour union
E) right-to-work union

Question 19

All of the following are challenges facing unions,except

A) technological change.
B) employment growth in manufacturing industries.
C) the decline of the so-called "smokestack industries."
D) deregulation.
E) free trade and the globalization of business.

Question 20

The highest rate of unionization is found in ______,and the lowest rate is found in ______.

A) Quebec; Alberta
B) Ontario; Quebec
C) Newfoundland and Labrador; Alberta
D) Quebec; Manitoba
E) British Columbia; Alberta

Question 21

Which term identifies an early form of a union that represented workers whose common interest was a specific job such as a shoemaker or a barrel maker?

A) Common law
B) Journeyman alliance
C) Guild
D) Craft
E) Trade

Question 22

A certification vote is

A) the process by which employees continue their union's right to represent them.
B) a vote to certify those on the union bargaining team.
C) a process by which union official take their votes to the labour board to apply for certification.
D) a vote supervised by a government official to determine if employees wish to terminate their union's rights.
E) a vote supervised by a government representative to determine whether a union will be certified.

Question 23

Suppose that you are a welder and that you belong to a union comprised of other welders.You hold meetings at your union hall and wait there for jobs.This would be an example of a(n)

A) industrial union.
B) common union.
C) local union.
D) international union.
E) craft union.

Question 24

The ________ recognized the right of employees to bargain collectively.

A) Industrial Disputes Investigation Act
B) Canadian Labour Congress
C) Privy Council Order 1003
D) Constitution Act (1867)
E) Canada Labour Code

Question 25

The ________ deals with issues like fair employment practices,standard hours of work,and employee safety.

A) Industrial Disputes Investigation Act
B) Canadian Arbitration Law
C) Canada Labour Code
D) Constitution Act
E) Privy Council Order 1003

Question 26

The ________ gave unions the right to bargain collectively in Canada.

A) Constitution Act
B) Canadian Labour Congress
C) Industrial Disputes Investigation Act
D) Privy Council Order 1003
E) Canadian Labour Code

Question 27

With respect to the future of unions,it is correct to say that

A) the future is very bleak for unions,and they are likely to go out of existence within the next 20 years.
B) the power of public sector unions has already declined sharply because taxpayers are unhappy with the big salaries and benefits that members of public sector unions receive.
C) the globalization of business has caused the movement of jobs to areas of the world with lower labour costs and this has reduced the number of union members in traditional manufacturing industries like the automobile industry.
D) there are no particularly challenging issues that labour unions have to deal with at the present time.
E) none of these statements is correct.

Question 28

Craft unions organize ________,while industrial unions organize ________.

A) workers with specific crafts; employees who belong to independent local unions
B) workers with specific skills; nationally
C) workers with specific skills; employees according to industry
D) workers with specific skills; employees by craft
E) nationally; locally

Question 29

In 2009,migrant workers in Manitoba voted to no longer be represented by their union.This was an example of

A) decertification.
B) emancipation.
C) arbitration.
D) mediation.
E) a referendum.

Question 30

Originally courts ruled against unions on the basis that

A) they were communist conspiracies.
B) they would increase prices of goods.
C) they were collecting dues without a licence.
D) they were conspiring to restrain trade.
E) they were not incorporated.

Question 31

All of the following legislation deals directly with labour-management relations except

A) the Canada Labour Code.
B) the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act.
C) the Ontario Labour Relations Act.
D) the Canadian Human Rights Act.
E) Privy Council Order 1003.

Question 32

Under the Ontario Labour Relations Act,all of the following apply except

A) the Ontario Labour Relations Board has the right to call for a certification vote.
B) employees who object to belonging to a union on religious grounds must still pay union dues.
C) employers are required to deduct union dues directly from union members.
D) a trade union may apply at any time to the Ontario Labour Relations Board for certification.
E) every agreement must include a mechanism for settling grievances.

Question 33

A union that includes among its members only skilled machinists is

A) an industrial union.
B) a craft union.
C) a union federation.
D) a common union.
E) a local union.

Question 34

Which unions were organized by industry rather than by skill or by occupation?

A) National
B) Industrial
C) Company
D) Craft
E) Trade

Question 35

All of the following are main sections of the Canada Labour Code except

A) fair employment practices.
B) safety of employees.
C) standard hours,wages,vacations,and holidays.
D) guidelines for managers when applying the Code.
E) Canada industrial relations regulations.

Question 36

The ________ provided for compulsory investigation of labour disputes by a government-appointed board before a strike was allowed.

A) Constitution Act of 1867
B) Industrial Disputes Investigation Act
C) Canada Labour Code
D) Privy Council Order 1003
E) Ontario Labour Relations Act

Question 37

Which term identifies a union organized at the level of a single company,plant,or small geographic region?

A) Local union
B) National union
C) Company union
D) County union
E) International union

Question 38

Ken Rogers is a plumber.Ken has been part of a union with other plumber members for over 25 years.Ken belongs to a(n)________ union.

A) national
B) international
C) industrial
D) public sector
E) craft

Question 39

Some creative and controversial tactics are being used by unions like the Service Employees International Union as they attempt to cope with declining membership.Which of the following is (are)tactics that are being tried?

A) Unions are agreeing that they will not go on strike for longer than two weeks.
B) Unions are dropping the requirement that members pay union dues.
C) At some companies,unions and company management have agreed that if enough workers sign cards indicating a desire to join the union,the union will be certified as the bargaining agent without the usual secret ballot election being held.
D) Unions are dropping the requirement that all employees at a given site must be members of the union.
E) Unions are doing all these things.

Question 40

The Constitution Act

A) prohibits unfair labour practices on the part of management.
B) recognized the right of employees to bargain collectively.
C) provides for compulsory investigation.
D) is a comprehensive piece of legislation that applies to the labour practices of firms operating under the legislative authority of parliament.
E) divides authority concerning labour regulations between the provinces and the federal government.

Question 41

Which of the following requires employees to join a union within a specified period of time after being hired?

A) Management shop
B) Union shop
C) Closed shop
D) Open shop
E) Agency shop

Question 42

When does collective bargaining occur?

A) When all employees (not just the bargaining committee)get involved in bargaining
B) When management requests a meeting with a union official to discuss a grievance
C) When union and management representatives meet to negotiate a new contract
D) When a mediator is asked to help resolve a deadlock in negotiations
E) When the employee presents a grievance

Question 43

Keylock Inc.has agreed to allow wage rates to be renegotiated at preset times during the life of the contract.This clause is called

A) an open wage clause.
B) a wage reopener clause.
C) wage option clause.
D) a new age wage clause.
E) a flexible wage clause.

Question 44

Kristine,an electrician,has applied for a job.She has been told that within 30 days of the completion of her probationary period,she must join the union.This is an example of a(n)

A) company shop.
B) agency shop.
C) closed shop.
D) open shop.
E) union shop.

Question 45

What term is used to describe the on-going process involving both the drafting and the administering of the terms of a labour contract?

A) Certification
B) Bargaining unit
C) Collective bargaining
D) Mediation
E) Decertification

Question 46

In which workplace must workers pay union dues even if they do not join the union?

A) Open shop
B) Agency shop
C) Closed shop
D) Management shop
E) Union shop

Question 47

With a(n)________,all employees for whom the union bargains must pay dues,but they are not required to join the union.

A) closed shop
B) open shop
C) agency shop
D) management shop
E) union shop

Question 48

Sammy,a steelworker,has been told that even if he chooses not to join the union,he must still pay union dues.This is an example of a(n)

A) agency shop.
B) open shop.
C) closed shop.
D) company shop.
E) union shop.

Question 49

In an open shop,

A) employees must join the union within 30 days of starting to work.
B) all employees must pay union dues even if they do not belong to any union.
C) an employer may hire union and/or nonunion labour.
D) only union members are permitted to work.
E) an employer may only hire union members or workers who are willing to join the union.

Question 50

You are about to go to work for a construction firm that has a union.However,you are not now,and do not intend to be,a member of any union.If you were hired under those conditions,you would either be working under a(n)________ shop,or a(n)________ shop arrangement.

A) union; closed
B) closed; agency
C) agency; union
D) union; open
E) agency; open

Question 51

What is a workplace called in which an employer may hire only workers already belonging to a union?

A) Management shop
B) Open shop
C) Agency shop
D) Union shop
E) Closed shop

Question 52

Which of the following statements about collective bargaining is false?

A) A contract is usually arrived at through the process of arbitration.
B) It begins with the recognition of the union as the exclusive negotiator for its members.
C) It is the process of negotiating labour agreements.
D) It involves union representatives and employer representatives.
E) It involves the ongoing process of administering existing agreements.

Question 53

What is COLA?

A) A promise by management that wages will increase semi-annually
B) The consumer price index
C) A method used to measure wages vs.GDP
D) An agreement to provide soft drinks for workers on their coffee breaks
E) A contract clause relating wage increases to inflation

Question 54

Union security is greatest in a(n)________ shop.

A) company
B) open
C) closed
D) union
E) agency

Question 55

What is the meaning of the phrase "closed shop"?

A) Requires that employees be a member of the union before they are hired
B) Requires that employers may hire union or nonunion workers
C) Requires employees to pay fees to the union even if they do not join
D) Requires employees to join the union within a set time period after being hired
E) The shop is required to close after 40 hours of work in one week

Question 56

The basic unit of union organization is the

A) local union.
B) international union.
C) national union.
D) union federation.
E) independent local union.

Question 57

Mary,a machinist,is checking out a potential employer.She has been told that in order to be hired,she must first join a union.Her potential employer is operating a(n)

A) agency shop.
B) company shop.
C) union shop.
D) closed shop.
E) open shop.

Question 58

What is the largest union in Canada?

A) Canadian Union of Public Employees
B) National Auto,Aerospace,and Agricultural Implements Workers
C) United Food and Commercial Workers
D) National Union of Provincial Government Employees
E) Public Service Alliance of Canada

Question 59

The issues that are typically most important to union negotiators include

A) certification,benefits,and security.
B) compensation,benefits,and job security.
C) permissives,compensation,and benefits.
D) safety,seniority,and wages.
E) employee safety,benefits,and wages.

Question 60

Suppose that you are a carpenter looking for work.You answer an advertisement for a job in the newspaper.However,you are told that you cannot be hired unless you agree to join the union within 30 days.This would be a(n)________ shop arrangement.

A) agency
B) management
C) closed
D) open
E) union

Question 61

When union and management are bargaining over an issue like workplace safety,which of the following would be most beneficial in keeping the process moving ahead in good faith?

A) Each side in the dispute needs to be able to show its constituents that it has obtained important concessions.
B) Each side in the dispute should be flexible.
C) Make a threat that if the conflict is not resolved,each side is prepared to take drastic action (e.g.,a lockout by management or a strike by the union).
D) Each side should start the negotiations by making extreme demands which they know the other side will not accept.
E) Try to achieve a resolution as quickly as possible.

Question 62

A(n)________ strike is one that is not authorized by the union.

A) wage
B) contingent
C) wildcat
D) economic
E) sympathy

Question 63

The International Brotherhood of Basketweavers plans to use a(n)________ to discourage consumers from purchasing Acme Baskets' products.

A) mediator
B) boycott
C) picket
D) slowdown
E) arbitrator

Question 64

As a variation on a slowdown,members of the International Brotherhood of Basketweavers may choose to plan a ________ at Acme Baskets.

A) sickout
B) strike
C) labor union
D) boycott
E) wildcat strike

Question 65

What is the purpose in union picketing?

A) To disrupt commerce in general
B) To prevent customers from entering a store
C) To seek public sympathy by explaining why they are picketing
D) To urge other consumers to shun their firm's product
E) To prevent products from leaving the store or manufacturing plant

Question 66

Members of the International Brotherhood of Basketweavers have walked off the job based on the failure of contract negotiations between Acme Baskets and the union representing the building maintenance staff.This is an example of a(n)________ strike.

A) wildcat
B) wage
C) sympathy
D) contingent
E) economic

Question 67

Plants R Us uses a pesticide in its commercial greenhouse operations that has become controversial because there is no medical consensus about whether it is harmful to humans who apply it.The company wants to continue using the pesticide but the union is opposed.In this situation,what would be the union's most productive next step?

A) Go on strike if the pesticide continues to be used.
B) Give in to management on this specific point and move on to other more important points.
C) Propose that a joint subcommittee be struck to study the issue more thoroughly.
D) Convince nurseries and garden centers that buy from Plants R Us to stop purchasing their products.
E) Stop meeting with management until the union's demand is met.

Question 68

Strikes that are usually triggered by impasses over mandatory bargaining items are called ________ strikes.

A) sympathy
B) stalemate
C) secondary
D) economic
E) wildcat

Question 69

After negotiations failed,Acme Baskets,Inc.chose to use a(n)________ to prevent union employees from coming to work.

A) economic strike
B) strikebreaker
C) stop work order
D) boycott
E) lockout

Question 70

Which term identifies a tactic of labour unions in which members march at the entrance to the company with signs explaining their reasons for striking?

A) Picketing
B) Lockout
C) Collective action
D) Work slowdown
E) Wildcat strike

Question 71

In labour negotiations with management,the Amalgamated Ditch Diggers proposed wage increases be tied to the consumer price index.This is called a(n)________ clause.

A) adjustable wage index
B) cost-of-living adjustment
C) variable wage
D) recognition item
E) CPI-wage adjustment

Question 72

Which term identifies a union tactic that is used when their demands are not met and employees walk off the job and refuse to work?

A) A collective pout
B) A lockout
C) A boycott
D) A stick out
E) A strike

Question 73

Negotiations have stalled between Acme Basket and the International Brotherhood of Basketweavers.Union members have walked off the job in a(n)________ strike.

A) contingent
B) economic
C) wildcat
D) wage
E) sympathy

Question 74

Which of the following is correct with regard to the issue of strikes?

A) Sometimes unions are not permitted to strike.
B) In Nova Scotia,strikes by health-care workers are allowed,but in Alberta hospital workers cannot go on strike.
C) Canada had the highest number of days lost to strikes per thousand employees during the period 1981-2003.
D) During a strike,workers cannot launch a boycott.
E) All of these.

Question 75

Which of the following is not a union weapon used to attain its goals?

A) A boycott
B) A work slowdown
C) A lockout
D) Picketing
E) A strike

Question 76

When contract negotiations fail,union options include all of the following except

A) boycotting.
B) slowdown.
C) picketing.
D) lockout.
E) striking.

Question 77

Plants R Us uses a pesticide in its commercial greenhouse operations that has become controversial because there is no medical consensus about whether it is harmful to humans who apply it.The company wants to continue using the pesticide but the union is opposed.Negotiations have now reached an impasse,and the union is threatening to call for a strike during the crucial spring period of high demand.Which response by management would be most likely to resolve the impasse?

A) Decertify the union.
B) Have nonunion contract employees help management personnel operate the greenhouse for several days.
C) Cease operations at the greenhouse until the striking workers' resources are depleted.
D) Set up a picket line outside the greenhouse.
E) Give in to the union's demands,even though doing so will have a serious impact on the company's finances.

Question 78

The Commercial Workers Union has been urging consumers not to buy a certain brand of textiles in order to put economic pressure on management to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with textile workers.The union is calling for a

A) boycott.
B) lockout.
C) picket.
D) wildcat strike.
E) strike.

Question 79

The Airline Pilots Union has gone out on strike against High Flyer Airlines.In support of their brother union,the Flight Attendants Union has also gone out on strike.This is called

A) a lockout.
B) a boycott.
C) a sympathy strike.
D) a wildcat strike.
E) picketing.

Question 80

Most strikes in Canada are ________ strikes.

A) sympathy
B) wage
C) economic
D) wildcat
E) contingent