Question 1

How did the passage of the National Labor Relations Act in 1935 advance the cause of unionism?

Accepted Answer

The passage of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in 1935, also known as the Wagner Act, significantly advanced the cause of unionism in the United States by establishing a strong legal foundation for workers to organize unions, engage in collective bargaining, and take collective action such as strikes. The Act was a cornerstone of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation, aimed at addressing the economic and social challenges of the Great Depression.

Here are several key ways in which the NLRA advanced the cause of unionism:

1. **Legal Recognition of Workers' Rights**: The NLRA formally recognized the right of workers to form and join unions without interference from employers. This was a major step forward because, prior to the Act, many employers would punish or fire workers who attempted to organize or join unions.

2. **Collective Bargaining**: The Act established the right of workers to engage in collective bargaining through representatives of their own choosing. This meant that employers were legally required to negotiate with unions on wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

3. **Creation of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)**: The NLRA established the NLRB, an independent federal agency with the power to enforce the rights granted by the Act. The NLRB could conduct elections for labor union representation and could investigate and remedy unfair labor practices by employers.

4. **Prohibition of Unfair Labor Practices**: The Act defined and prohibited certain unfair labor practices by employers, such as interfering with the formation or administration of a labor organization, discriminating against union members, and refusing to bargain collectively with the union that represents their employees.

5. **Protection of the Right to Strike**: The NLRA protected the right of workers to strike, which is a critical tool for workers to exert pressure on employers during labor disputes. Prior to the NLRA, strikes were often met with harsh retaliation by employers and sometimes even government intervention.

6. **Empowerment of Workers**: By providing legal protections and a framework for collective action, the NLRA empowered workers to advocate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. This led to a significant growth in union membership and influence in the years following the Act's passage.

7. **Promotion of Industrial Peace**: The Act aimed to promote industrial peace and prevent labor disputes from disrupting commerce. By providing a structured process for labor relations, the NLRA helped to stabilize employer-employee relations, which was particularly important during the economic recovery efforts of the 1930s.

Overall, the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 was a transformative piece of legislation that fundamentally changed the landscape of labor relations in the United States. It provided the legal framework and protections that allowed unions to flourish and become a powerful force in advocating for the rights and interests of American workers.

Question 2

A corporate campaign occurs when an organized body of workers withholds its labor to force an employer to comply with its demands.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

According to common law,unless there is an explicit contractual provision to the contrary,every employment is employment at will and either side is free to terminate it at any time without advance notice or reason.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

Which of the following is an accurate statement about employment law in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

A)  It's illegal to fire workers because of union membership.
B)  Courts at all levels and in all states now agree that employees cannot be dismissed without just cause.
C)  The civil liberties of employees have to be restricted for corporations to run efficiently.
D)  More and more companies are moving toward "employment at will".

Question 5

When weighing the decisions to dismiss employees,companies need to remember that employment affects families and communities,not just individuals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

How are unions relevant to business ethics? Justify your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How are unions relevant to business ethics?...

Question 7

Explain these concepts: seniority,inbreeding,and nepotism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain these concepts: seniority,inbreeding,and nepotism....

Question 8

Inbreeding refers to longevity on a job or with a firm.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

What is the importance of the Taft-Hartley Act?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the importance of the Taft-Hartley...

Question 10

According to David Ewing,two factors explain the absence of civil liberties and the prevalence of authoritarianism in the workplace.Which of the following is one of them?

Accepted Answer

A)  discriminatory employment practices due to strict constructionist interpretations of the Constitution
B)  the rise of personnel engineering and professional management
C)  the common law doctrine of eminent domain
D)  employer resistance to unionization

Question 11

The key moral ideal in promotions is

Accepted Answer

A)  loyalty.
B)  likeability.
C)  intelligence.
D)  fairness.

Question 12

In union terms,a direct strike occurs

Accepted Answer

A)  when an organized body of workers withholds its labor to force the employer to comply with its demands.
B)  when union members and their supporters refuse to buy products from a company being struck.
C)  when workers who have no particular grievance of their own and who may or may not have the same employer decide to strike in support of others.
D)  when people refuse to patronize companies that handle products of struck companies.

Question 13

An individual is usually an equal with the employer in the negotiation process.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Sometimes the screening process unfairly excludes certain applicants.Give two examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sometimes the screening process unfairly excludes certain...

Question 15

What's the difference between a direct strike and a sympathetic strike?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What's the difference between a direct strike...

Question 16

What does "just cause" require in situations of employee discipline or discharge? What does "due process" require?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does "just cause" require in situations...

Question 17

If employees who don't join the union get the same benefits as union members,this raises a question of fairness.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Choose the most accurate statement concerning the workplace:

Accepted Answer

A)  If wages conform with the law,they are fair wages.
B)  Employers have no obligation to dismiss workers as painlessly as possible.
C)  An employer's financial capabilities affect what constitutes a fair wage scale for that employer's employees.
D)  All instances of nepotism raise serious moral concerns.

Question 19

Sympathetic strikes are ineffective.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Nepotism is the practice of promoting exclusively from within the firm.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 8: The Workplace 1: Basic Issues

How did the passage of the National Labor Relations Act in 1935 advance the cause of unionism?

A corporate campaign occurs when an organized body of workers withholds its labor to force an employer to comply with its demands.

According to common law,unless there is an explicit contractual provision to the contrary,every employment is employment at will and either side is free to terminate it at any time without advance notice or reason.

Which of the following is an accurate statement about employment law in the workplace?

When weighing the decisions to dismiss employees,companies need to remember that employment affects families and communities,not just individuals.

How are unions relevant to business ethics? Justify your answer.

Explain these concepts: seniority,inbreeding,and nepotism.

Inbreeding refers to longevity on a job or with a firm.

What is the importance of the Taft-Hartley Act?

According to David Ewing,two factors explain the absence of civil liberties and the prevalence of authoritarianism in the workplace.Which of the following is one of them?

The key moral ideal in promotions is

In union terms,a direct strike occurs

An individual is usually an equal with the employer in the negotiation process.

Sometimes the screening process unfairly excludes certain applicants.Give two examples.

What's the difference between a direct strike and a sympathetic strike?

What does "just cause" require in situations of employee discipline or discharge? What does "due process" require?

If employees who don't join the union get the same benefits as union members,this raises a question of fairness.

Choose the most accurate statement concerning the workplace:

Sympathetic strikes are ineffective.

Nepotism is the practice of promoting exclusively from within the firm.