Labor Relations Ch 1

A group of workers who join together to influence the nature of their employment is known as a(n) _________ __________.

labor union

__________ refers to fairness in the distribution of economic rewards, the administration of employment policies, and the provision of employee security.

Equity

Factors in dispute resolution and ongoing decision making

Grievance procedures

Factors in personnel policies and procedures

Overtime and vacation rules

Factors in compensation

Profit sharing

Factors in union rights and responsibilities

Recognition as bargaining agent

When the U.S. labor system works effectively, efficiency, equity and voice are attained through: a. surface bargaining b. upward bumping c. collective bargaining d. aggressive union-busting

c

Factors in employee rights and responsibilities

Workplace rules

The business need for flexibility conflicts with lengthy contracts that explain detailed work rules and has led to: a. experimentation with shorter, less detailed contracts b. universally applicable work rules and employment contracts c. a compromise on fair practices in labor relations d. the elimination of contracts from the U.S. employment relationship

a

In the context of collective bargaining, which o the following are included under the subject of employer rights and responsibilities? a. subcontracting b. safety standards c. profit sharing d. management rights e. just cause discipline and discharge f. transfer policies

a, b, d, e

Which of the following are major challenges faced by managements in the collective bargaining process? (Select all that apply) a. lack of productive communication between formal negotiating periods of contracts adversely affects the need for flexibility and involvement b. the business need for flexibility clashes with short, less detailed contracts that reduces objectivity of work rules c. the business need for cooperation and employee involvement conflicts with the traditionally adversarial bargaining process d. the use of integrative or win-win bargaining by unionized employees and management removes the element of competition from the bargaining process

a, c

In the context of the three objectives of employment relationship, which of the following are true of efficiency? (Select all that apply) a. it is a standard of economic or business performance b. it is a standard of employee participation c. it can be pursued by ensuring employee autonomy and representation by labor unions d. it can be met through workplace policies that promote flexibility and productivity

a, d

One of the criticismof the current legal framework in the U.S. private sector is that it is outdated and that the business features have changed. Identify the characteristics of the business climate in present-day U.S. a. flexible production methods b. American domination of world markets c. mass manufacturing d. the blurring of traditional distinctions between manual and managerial workers e. intense global compeition f. the rise of knowledge workers

a, d, e, f

U.S. unions are stereotypically correlated with: a. high productivity b. restrictive labor rules c. performance-based salary d. low wages

b

Which of the following is true of the pluralist perspective on the employment relationship? a. it holds that the key right of workers is the ability to quit jobs they do not like b. it compares labor relations to a diverse society in which multiple parties have legitimate but sometimes conflicting interests and rights c. it maintains that labor unions should not enjoy any special legal protections d. it views workers' rights as basic human rights and argues that these rights should be given priority over property rights of employers

b

Identify the primary means that most unionized employers adopt to meet organizational goals. (Select all that apply) a. aggressive union-busting tactics b. collective bargaining c. progressive human resource management strategies d. dispute resolution through grievance procedures e. adherence to union contracts

b, d, e

Nonunion employers usually pursue organizational goals by means of: a. collective bargaining strategies b. adversarial bargaining strategies c. preventive labor relations strategies d. alternative union strategies

c

The New Deal industrial relations system, which is the present-day legal framework in the U.S. private sector, dates back to: a. the Clayton Act passed in 1914 b. the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 c. the Wagner Act passed in 1935 d. the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1932

c

The employment-at-will doctrine that governs the U.S. employment relationship gives: a. employees the right to form labor unions for the purpose of collective bargaining b. employers protection against workers quitting at will c. employers the power to dismiss workers without just cause d. employees protection against change in the terms of their employment

c

Which of the following are true of the voice dimension of employment relationship? (Select all that apply) a. it can be pursued by introducing workplace policies that promote flexibility and productivity b. it is a standard of fair treatment for employees c. it is a standard of employee involvement d. it can be attained by ensuring employee autonomy and representation by labor unions

c, d

Which of the following are true of the general attitude about the objectives of the employment relationship in the U.S.? a. interests of stakeholders trump those of shareholders b. workers' rights are considered to be as important as human rights c. profits are viewed as the critical measure of economic health d. concerns such as equity and voice are seen as social issues that obstruct business e. public sector agencies are required to focus on cost-effective service delivery f. debates over workers' issues are addressed on the basis of their effects on labor costs and competitiveness

c, d, e, f

The study of labor relations requires an analysis of how employee representation through independent labor unions helps: a. achieve maximum productivity with little cost to employers b. accelerate globalization and financialization c. complement a detailed set of work rules and contracts d. attain a balance between efficiency, equity, and voice

d

Which of the following is true of the impact of weakening labor unions? a. it has led to poor working conditions for factory laborers b. it has led to an overall increase in productivity and employee satisfaction c. it is one of the causes for the increased visibility of workers in the political arena d. it is one of the causes for a substantial increase in income inequality

d

The term _________ __________ captures the belief that workers in a democratic society are entitled to the same democratic principles of participation in the workplace.

industrial democracy