HRM701 Chapter 14 Practice Test

Yorkville Tire Manufacturing Company has been experiencing really bad management-employee relations for almost two years. Jack Spratt, one of the leaders among the employees, wants to help in unionizing the employees. He has met with most of the employees. What next should he do?

form an in-house organizing committee

In which organizing step does the collection of signed authorization cards play a major role?

formation of in-house organizing committee

Labour boards generally have representatives from which of the following groups?

labour and management

How can the bargaining power of a union be exercised?

striking, picketing, or boycotting

Who is responsible for administering the union certification elections in Canada?

the labour relations board

Mary works in the basement of her employer's home sewing pants. Which of the following is one of the biggest challenges facing workers like Mary in becoming unionized?

they work in scattered locations

Which of the following is NOT a duty of labour relations boards?

to amend labour relations legislation

Which of the following is NOT one of the key reasons why workers join unions in Canada?

to change the government

According to federal labour law, which of the following tactics can employers use in opposing unionization?

bargain in good faith

In the bargaining model, what is the area within which the union and employer are willing to concede when bargaining?

bargaining zone

Which of the following is an employer required to do once a union becomes certified?

begin negotiations leading toward a collective agreement

Assume that the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is representing essential workers in a hospital. The hospital's administration and the union are deadlocked in negotiations. What is a likely solution to this impasse?

compulsory binding arbitration

Which of the following actions is compulsory before a strike or lockout in all Canadian jurisdictions?

conciliation

Which of the following groups initiate most organizing campaigns?

employees

Which of the following is NOT a usual effect of unions in the workplace?

increases in accident rates and sabotage

The creation of a relationship for the future based on trust, understanding, and mutual respect is the basis of which of the following?

interest based bargaining

The majority of workers in Canada are governed by legislation at which of the following levels/jurisdictions?

provincial

Developing likely union proposals, lists of demands, and a contingency plan for operating in the event of a strike are part of which of the following?

an employer's bargaining strategy

The factors that arbitrators use when deciding cases are the wording of the labour agreement, the submission agreement, the testimony and evidence offered, and Which of the following?

arbitration criteria or standards

According to Canadian labour relations legislation, all of the following employer actions are prohibited EXCEPT which one?

stating the employer is ready to listen to and discuss any issue

Mary Hart works for the federal government in the immigration department. Her office is located in Toronto. Which of the following pieces of labour legislation applies to her workplace?

the Canada labour code

Which of the following labour organizations is most likely to provide professional and financial assistance during organizing drives and strikes, help negotiate labour agreements, and train union leaders?

the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)

In the United States, the key central federation of unions is called the AFL-CIO. In Canada, what is the name of the organization that does similar work?

the Canadian labour congress

Who has the major responsibility in negotiating and administering the labour agreement and working to resolve problems arising in connection with it?

the business agent

Strikes, boycotts, lockouts, and plant closures may all be included in which of the following?

the collective bargaining process

Which of the following is interest-based bargaining based upon?

the identification and resolution of mutual interests

Unlike many unions in Europe, most of the bargaining and decision making for unions in Canada occurs at which of the following levels?

the local level

Which of the following clauses holds that "management's authority is supreme in all matters except those conceded in the collective agreement or in those areas where its authority is restricted by law"?

the management rights clause

According to the text, in terms of employment relations, which of the following is a key reason why employers may begin employee involvement and empowerment programs?

to avoid collective action by employees

Which of the following is the arbitrator's responsibility in a dispute?

to mandate how the grievance will be resolved

Which of the following do dues checkoff, the union shop, and the agency shop represent?

union security

Omar Mohammed represents the interests of union members in their relations with their immediate supervisors and other members of management. Which of the following is Mr. Mohammed's most likely job title or role?

union steward

In which of the following situations is grievance handling most successful?

when supervisors are formally trained in the terms of the labour agreement and the development of counselling skills

Which of the following is the strongest reason to join a union?

dissatisfaction with wages, benefits, and working conditions

Employees indicate their willingness to be represented by a union by signing which of the following?

an authorization card

Approximately what percentage of Canadian public employees are unionized?

70 percent

A bargaining book is a case history used by an arbitrator to decide a grievance. :T/F

F

Joining a union is a way for employees to put leadership skills to use.:T/F

T

A strike vote by union members does not always mean a strike will take place.

T

Unions tend to hold strike votes to assess whether members are willing to go on strike for their demands. What does a high vote in favour of a strike (e.g., 95 percent) mean?

The union will have strengthened its bargaining power

Which of the following is a key difference between unionized and nonunionized work in Canada?

Unionized workers get higher wages and benefits.

The full-time professors at McMaster University are usually represented by a group of nonunionized faculty in wage negotiations with management. What is this group of faculty called?

an employee association

Which of the following may represent professional and white-collar employees?

an employee association

National unions retain most of the decision-making authority over local unions.:T/F

F

The first step in the labour relations process is a union organizing campaign. :T/F

F

The minimum term of the first collective agreement after certification is three years. :T/F

F

Unions that represent various groups of professional and white-collar workers are called industrial unions. :T/F

F

Which of the following is necessary for an employee's grievance to be considered formally?

It must be expressed orally or in writing.

Louis, a union organizer in Ontario, needs what minimum percentage of signed authorization cards before the union can apply for a certification election?

40%

In certification elections in Canada, how many employees must vote in favour of unions for them to become certified in workplaces?

50 percent plus 1

Within a bargaining unit, how many workers must vote against the union so as to decertify it?

50 percent plus one

Which of the following is a requirement of interest-based bargaining?

Each side's negotiators meet at a reasonable time and reasonable place to discuss issues.

Briefly describe the six steps in the organizing process.

Employee/union contact. The first step begins when employees and union officials make contact to explore the possibility of unionization. Employees investigate the advantages of labour representation, and union officials begin to gather information about employee needs, problems, and grievances. Labour organizers also seek information about the employer's financial health, supervisory styles, and policies and practices. To win employee support, the organizers must build a case against the employer and for the union. Initial organizational meeting. As the organizing campaign gathers momentum, the organizer schedules an initial union meeting to attract more supporters. The organizer uses the information gathered in step one to address employee needs and explain how the union can meet them. The organizational meeting also enables the organizer to identify employees who can help run the campaign and to establish communication chains that reach all employees. Formation of an in-house organizing committee. The in-house committee is composed of employees who are willing to provide leadership to the campaign. Their role is to interest other employees in joining the union and supporting its campaign. An important task of committee members is to have employees sign an authorization card indicating their willingness to be represented by the union. The number of signed authorization cards demonstrates the potential strength of the union. The number of cards required for automatic certification and the number required in order to qualify for a representation vote varies by jurisdiction. Application to the labour relations board. After the required number of authorization cards have been signed, application for certification is made to the applicable labour relations board. Depending on the number of cards signed, the labour relations board may grant automatic certification or hold a secret-ballot vote. If 50 percent of those casting ballots vote in favour of the union, the union is certified. Issuance of certificate by the labour relations board. A certificate is then issued granting the union the right to represent the employees as a recognized union under the applicable labour relations legislation. Election of a bargaining committee and contract negotiations. Once the certificate has been issued, a bargaining committee is elected by the union membership. A national or international union representative generally works with this local union committee to negotiate a collective agreement with the company. Bargaining committees are often assisted by specialists in benefits and health and safety.

A boycott is a refusal to cross a union picket line.

F

A union will not usually take a weak case to arbitration for fear of losing member support.

F

Arbitration hearings are formal court proceedings, held in a court of law.

F

As long as employers do not object to unionization, they can influence employees to vote for one union rather than another. :T/F

F

Canadian employers tend to be supportive of union organizing drives. :T/F

F

During collective bargaining, each side normally places only their primary negotiator at the table. :T/F

F

Good faith bargaining requires that employers and union counterparts be willing to meet at any time and reasonable place to discuss proposals. :T/F

F

If a manager or supervisor violates a labour law, an appropriate defence is that he or she was not familiar with labour legislation. :T/F

F

Interest-based bargaining usually leads to suspicion and compromise. :T/F

F

Mediation is the only form of third-party resolution that results in binding recommendations.

F

Public employees unionize for very different reasons than their private-sector counterparts. :T/F

T

Public-sector unions contend that denying their legal right to strike reduces their power during collective bargaining. :T/F

T

The Canada Industrial Relations Board administers and enforces the Canada Labour Code. :T/F

T

The collective bargaining process may include activities such as strikes and boycotts.:T/F

T

The first step in organizing begins when employees and union officials meet to explore the possibility of unionization. :T/F

T

The largest union in Canada is the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). :T/F

T

Union stewards are full-time employees at the workplace and generally are not paid by the union. :T/F

T

1. What are the primary reasons for employee unionization?

Some employees join unions because of the union-shop provisions of the collective agreement, which specify that union membership is a condition of employment. Studies have generally concluded that those who unionize voluntarily do so for three key reasons: economic needs, dissatisfaction with management practices, and/or as a way to fulfill social and affiliation needs. Economic needs. Dissatisfaction with wages, benefits, and working conditions appears to provide the strongest reason to join a union. It is these traditional issues on which unions are built. Dissatisfaction with management. Employees may seek unionization when they perceive that managerial practices regarding promotion, transfer, shift assignment, or other job-related policies are administered in an unfair or biased manner. Favouritism is particularly resented when it concerns the HR areas of discipline, promotion, and wage increases. Failure to give employees an opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their welfare may also encourage union membership. Social and affiliation needs. Employees whose needs for social affiliation and recognition are being frustrated may join unions as a means of satisfying these needs. Through their union, they have an opportunity to fraternize with other employees who have similar desires, interests, problems, and complaints. Joining the union also enables some individuals to put leadership talents to use. The limited studies conducted on employee unionization in the public sector generally find that public employees unionize for reasons similar to those of their private-sector counterparts. The only difference is that other issues, such as professional development and participation in decision making, are also perceived as important. In the final analysis, the extent to which employees perceive that the benefits of joining a union outweigh the costs associated with membership is likely to be the deciding factor.

Unionization may restrict the freedom of management in many areas. :T/F

T

Unionization restricts the freedom of management to formulate HR policy unilaterally. :T/F

T

Unions influence labour legislation and HR policies and practices. :T/F

T

Unions that represent skilled craft workers are called craft unions. :T/F

T

A grievance procedure is a formal process that is often considered the heart of a bargaining agreement.

T

Agency shops provide for voluntary union membership, but require all bargaining unit members to pay union dues and fees.

T

An arbitration award should include not just a decision, but the rationale for it, in order to provide guidance for future interpretation.

T

An employer's bargaining power may rest on its ability to continue its operations despite a strike by its workers.

T

As a manager of XYZ Company, you would most likely expect an organizing drive to be started by your employees rather than a union organizer. :T/F

T

Bargaining power consists of economic, political, and social influence to achieve demands. :T/F

T

Both employers and unions can be accused of an unfair labour practice. :T/F

T

Compulsory binding arbitration is often available in the public sector as an acceptable way to settle collective bargaining deadlocks. :T/F

T

Compulsory membership provisions and dues checkoff are forms of union security.

T

Employees are most likely to seek unionization if they believe that doing so will achieve results they cannot achieve acting individually. :T/F

T

Employees might consider organizing and joining a union an effective alternative to quitting a job in which they feel they are being treated unfairly. :T/F

T

Employers are obligated to negotiate in good faith with the union. :T/F

T

Grievance handling is more successful when supervisors are trained formally in resolving grievances.

T

If an employee personally decides that the benefits will outweigh the costs of joining the union, then she or he is likely to join. :T/F

T

If employers interfere with the union certification process, the labour relations board can recognize a union regardless of the percentage of employees that have signed authorization cards. :T/F

T

In Canada, a majority of unions are certified without a vote if the labour relations board finds that at least 50 percent of employees have signed authorization cards. :T/F

T

It is possible for a union to be decertified if the majority of bargaining unit members decide they would rather be represented by another union. :T/F

T

It is the arbitrator's responsibility to ensure that each side receives a fair hearing.

T

Labour organizations are diverse in type and in structure; therefore, each may have its own mode of governance and objectives. :T/F

T

Labour relations boards are responsible for administering labour law. :T/F

T

Management rights are those decisions over which management claims exclusive rights. :T/F

T

More than 70 percent of all public employees are unionized.:T/F

T

Most labour relations activity comes from the day-to-day administration of the collective agreement.

T

Pickets may further disrupt an employer's business because one union member, such as a truck driver, may refuse to cross the other's picket line.

T

How do unions and management employ bargaining power in negotiations?

The bargaining power of the union may be exercised by striking or picketing, boycotting the employer's products and by obtaining strike authorization from their members to strengthen the position of union leaders in negotiations. The employer's power rests largely on being able to continue operations in the face of a strike or to shut down operations entirely. Methods include operating using supervisory and nonstriking personnel, utilizing technology and automation, transferring operations to other locations, outsourcing, and hiring replacement workers where permitted by law.

Explain the impact of unionization on managers.

The unionization of employees can affect managers in several ways: • Can affect management's prerogatives in making decisions about employees. • Restricts management's freedom to formulate HR policy unilaterally. • Typically, unions will try to achieve greater participation in management decisions that affect their members (e.g., productivity standards, job content, etc.). Employers may claim these decisions are management rights; however, these rights are subject to challenge and erosion by the union. • Terms of the collective agreement determine how employees can be directed and how they can be disciplined. • Specific content language of the collective agreement can reduce the manager or supervisor's ability to manage in such areas as scheduling, training, transfers, performance evaluation, promotions, etc.

Which of the following conditions and/or actions may result in labour relations boards imposing a union on an employer in some Canadian jurisdictions, even with as low as 5 percent of the authorization cards signed?

Unfair labour practices committed by the employer in the organizing process.

Pickets may prevent trucks and railcars from entering a struck business because of which of the following?

Unions often refuse to cross another union's picket line.

Which of the following is the term for a union's use of radio and newspaper ads to discourage the purchase of an employer's products?

a boycott

Tony Lee has been involved on behalf of the national union with negotiating the collective bargaining agreement with the employer for Local 1240. Which of the following is Mr. Lee's most likely job title or role?

a business agent

Jason Thomas recently joined ABC Inc. as loader to work on the shipping wharf. He has been told that he must join the union as a condition of employment. Which of the following is this employment provision called?

a union shop

Strategies to remain union-free include all of the following EXCEPT which one?

allow supervisors to adopt their own approaches to employee motivation and job design.

Which of the following is the term for a third-party neutral who resolves labour disputes by issuing a final decision that the parties must accept?

an arbitrator