Deck 12: The Future of Unions

Question 1

Unions tend to see diversity as a social justice issue vs the more progressive approach of that diversity stimulates innovation.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Unions represent skilled and unskilled workers.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

"Right to work" laws make the payment of union dues optional to employees.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Union leaders sometimes oppose employee involvement programs because they fear that employees will be required to work harder for the same compensation.

Question 5

The unionization rate for younger workers has been increasing since 1981.

Question 6

On average union workers make less than non-unionized workers.

Question 7

Employee involvement in unionized workplaces requires the collaboration with the union.

Question 8

Unions are adapting their certification programs to the younger workforce.

Question 9

Younger workers have a more negative opinion of unions.

Question 10

Many jurisdictions in the United States have adopted "Right to work" laws. These laws require employees to pay union dues.

Question 11

It has been estimated that the percentage of visible minorities in the general population will be stable over the next several years.

Question 12

Unions are taking a proactive approach to gender equality.

Question 13

Unionization rates for women aged 45-54 has been the only demographic to have increased since 1981.

Question 14

Unionized firms have higher turnover than non-union firms.

Question 15

Unions continue to use the traditional certification process as the face to face approach gets the best results.

Question 16

The perception of younger workers that they will likely be employed as a contract worker is seen as negatively impacting unionization rates.

Question 17

It has been estimated that approximately one third of workers will be visible minorities.

Question 18

Women are more likely to be a union member than men.

Question 19

Younger workers have a greater need for work life balance than older workers.

Question 20

"Right to work" laws, which make the payment of union dues optional are being adopted in Canada.

Question 21

With respect to recruiting younger workers unions have:

A) Created a buddy system to bring younger people to meetings
B) Developed social media techniques to attract younger people
C) Maintained historical methods due to past success
D) Been more focused on diversity
E) a&b

Question 22

Which of the following is the least likely to be affected by unionization:

A) productivity
B) profitability
C) labour relations legislation
D) managerial control
E) compensation of non-union employees

Question 23

Canadian union are in direct contact with local unions in other countries.

Question 24

Grievance mediation is viewed as being inherently adversarial.

Question 25

The unionization rate for younger workers is negatively impacted by:

A) Lack of awareness in unions
B) Lack of interest in unions
C) Perception by youth that they will not represent them
D) a&c
E) a,b,&c

Question 26

The GDP for manufacturing in emerging economies such as China has been increasing:

Question 27

Canadian unions face challenges in the future including globalization and government deficit reduction programs that are bound to reduce union density.

Question 28

The GDP for manufacturing is expected to remain stable over the next several years.

Question 29

The processes that are currently part of the labour relations system, including grievance arbitration, could be viewed as being inherently adversarial.

Question 30

Which of the following demographic groups have been increasing since 1981?

A) Visible minorities
B) Men
C) Women older than 45
D) Aboriginals
E) All of the above

Question 31

The impact of the increase of employment in service sector has not impacted unionization rates in Canada.

Question 32

Business and union leaders need to ensure that access to basic goods is available to all employees in a global environment in order to remain competitive.

Question 33

The amount of manufacturing produced per person has decreased in Canada.

Question 34

Canadian unions have been supportive of governments' retaliation with respect to issues such as steel tariffs.

Question 35

According to some studies, business leaders must balance the two priorities of profitability of the company and social responsibility.

Question 36

Productivity improvements in manufacturing has had limited impact on unionization rates in Canada.

Question 37

There are environmental factors that pose a barrier to increased union-management collaboration.

Question 38

Unions are collaborating across boarders as a result in international trade agreements and tariffs.

Question 39

A union response to globalization has been to ensure employment standards exist in emerging economies.

Question 40

With respect to unionization rates:

A) Men's rate has increased and the Women's rate has increased
B) Men's rate has increased and the Women's rate has decreased
C) Men's rate has decreased and the Women's rate has increased
D) Men's rate has decreased and the Women's rate has decreased
E) Men's rate have been stable and the Women's rate has increased

Question 41

What two forces are negatively affecting the GDP for the manufacturing sector?

A) Increase of unionization and offshoring
B) Off shoring and tariffs
C) Offshoring and productivity gains
D) Productivity gains and tariffs
E) Tariffs and increase in unionization

Question 42

According to a national census, what percentage of the workforce will be visible minority by 2036:

A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 40%
E) 50%

Question 43

Barriers) to collaboration between unions and employers include:

A) Trust
B) Companies continue to reduce the workforce
C) Legal environment
D) Different vision and values
E) All of the above

Question 44

What percentage of the GDP does manufacturing represent?

A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 40%
E) 50%

Question 45

An employer has undertaken an employee involvement program without the participation of the union. The employer is seeking ways to redesign compensation so that it is more effective. Which of the following is correct:

A) The program is permissible.
B) The program is permissible provided that a majority of the employees approve.
C) The program is permissible provided that it complies with the management rights article in the collective agreement.
D) The program violates the bargaining rights of the union.
E) The program is permissible; however, the union could lawfully encourage employees to boycott the effort.

Question 46

Which of the following is not a barrier to increasing employee involvement:

A) a lack of trust of management by the union
B) an adversarial relationship between the parties
C) labour relations legislation
D) the inability of employees to be involved and remain loyal to the union
E) attitudes and beliefs of unions and employers

Question 47

The increase of the unionization rate for women over the age of 45 is:

A) More women of this age are entering the workforce
B) Reduction a males entering the workforce
C) Employment equity legislation
D) Pay equity legislation
E) an increase in employment levels in the service industries

Question 48

With respect to diversity, the unions approach has been:

A) focused on how diversity improves innovation
B) a social justice issue
C) focused on pay equity
D) relies on legislation to enforce
E) ensuring union representation reflects the demographic of it members

Question 49

According to the CLC the barriers facing economic justice for women are:

A) Employment equity
B) Pay equity
C) Sexual harassment
D) Child care crisis
E) b,c & d

Question 50

Which of the following are not opportunities for business leaders in the global world?

A) Support entrepreneurial growth
B) Invest in human capital
C) Broaden access to basic goods
D) Support freer trade between nations
E) Develop a social business mind set

Question 51

Employee involvement programs:

A) have universally increased productivity
B) are difficult to establish, but easy to maintain
C) have lead to small increases in employee satisfaction
D) a, b, and c
E) b and c

Question 52

Barriers) to unions supporting employers who adopt cooperative programs with employees include:

A) Trust of management's agenda
B) Unions opinion that it is a method to reduce the workforce
C) Unions not being concerned about profitability of the employer
D) Lack of support by supervisors for cooperative programs
E) a, b, & d

Question 53

Explain some of the reasons why the younger generation do not see unions as meeting their needs. What are some of the actions that unions are undertaking to change these opinions.

Question 54

A study conducted by Terry Wagar found that:

A) union and employer leaders agree that people are an organization's most important asset
B) a small percentage of union leaders felt that management viewed co-operative programs as a way to reduce union influence
C) a small percentage of union officials felt that the interests of the union and employer are in conflict
D) a majority of union officials did not think that employers support bargaining unit members who tried new approaches
E) union leaders perceived extensive support from management for co-operative programs

Question 55

The reasons) for the decline of the GDP rate for manufacturing include:

A) Offshore of production
B) Business closures
C) Reduction of demand by consumers
D) Productivity improvements by manufacturers
E) a&d

Question 56

Which of the following is NOT an union strategy for globalization.

A) Maintenance of growth of International Agreements
B) Negotiate labour standards agreements between international union federation and large corporations
C) Partnerships between international unions a locally-based unions
D) Global improvements in labour practices
E) Protests with respect to trade agreements

Question 57

According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, future leaders will need to:

A) develop technological advancement to improve efficiency
B) implement a global manufacturing footprint
C) ensure access to basic goods
D) develop a social business mindset
E) ensure a centralized global control of the organization

Question 58

Which of the following are values shared by younger workers?

A) Work life balance, pay equity, globalization
B) Improve diversity in CEO positions, secure employment, pay equity
C) Secure employment, pay equity, involvement in social issues
D) Work life balance, business support for social problems, accepting more refugees
E) Improved diversity, employment equity, pay equity

Question 59

Explain at least the three action items for business and union leaders to deal with globalization.

Question 60

Explain the strategies that unions have developed to respond to globalization.

Question 61

Outline the challenges that unions will face in the future and explain two ways that unions could ensure their viability.

Question 62

Explain reasons why unions may oppose employee involvement programs.

Question 63

At the beginning of the course you may have held an opinion of unions and collective bargaining. During the course you may have learned information or concepts that either confirmed or changed your opinion.
a. Explain whether your opinion has been confirmed or changed by referring to two of the following items: union dues, seniority, or strikes.
b. Explain whether your opinion has been confirmed or changed by referring to an additional topic covered in the course.

Question 64

Describe the barriers and benefits of collaboration between unions and employers.

Question 65

Some observers have called for increased union-management co-operation. Discuss the barriers that will have to be overcome to increase union-management co-operation.