MGT 302 Chapter One

The study of labor relations require an analysis of how employee representation through independent labor unions helps ______. - Accelerate globalization and financialization - Attain a balance between efficiency, equity, and voice - Complement a detailed set of work rules and contracts - Achieve maximum productivity with little cost to employers

Attain a balance between efficiency, equity, and voice

When the U.S. labor relations system works effectively, efficiency, equity, and voice are attained through ______. - Collective bargaining - Aggressive union-busting - Surface bargaining - Upward bumping

Collective bargaining

Which of the following is the most controversial potential cause for the decline in U.S. union density? - Employer resistance - Nationalization of unionized industries - Lack of employment opportunities in the unionized industries - Decline in the demand for union service

Employer resistance

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

It compares labor relations to a diverse society in which multiple parties have legitimate but sometimes conflicting interests and rights.

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

It is one of the causes for a substantial increase in income inequality.

In the context of labor relations, the official policy of the United States, at least as written in law, is not to ______. - Encourage collective bargaining by to tolerate it - Protect workers' rights to join together for mutual aid or protection - Tolerate collective bargaining but to encourage it - Protect workers' rights to join together for negotiating employment terms

Tolerate collective bargaining but to encourage it

In the context of labor relations systems, match the perspectives with their descriptions - Neoliberal market ideology, Pluralist perspective - Proponents of voluntary, market-based economic transactions favor property rights of employers over the rights of workers. This is a compromise position that holds that property rights and workers' rights should be balanced.

- Neoliberal market ideology = Proponents of voluntary, market-based economic transactions favor property rights of employers over the rights of workers. - Pluralist perspective = This is a compromise position that holds that property rights and workers' rights should be balanced.

One of the possible reasons for the decline in the demand for union services is ______. - The diminishing focus on productivity and efficiency - The implementation of restrictive legislations by governments - The legal band on the use of the employment-at-will doctrine - The improved responsiveness of employers to the needs of employees

- The improved responsiveness of employers to the needs of employees

What are the exceptions to the employment-at-will doctrine that governs the U.S. employment relationship? (Check all that apply.) - State-by-state judicial exceptions - Just cause exceptions - Moral restrictions - Contractual restrictions - Legislative restrictions

- State-by-state judicial exceptions - Contractual restrictions - Legislative restrictions

One of the criticisms of 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 United States. (Check all that apply.) - The blurring of traditional distinctions between manual and managerial workers - Flexible production methods - American domination of world markets - Intense global competition - The rise of knowledge workers - Mass manufacturing

- The blurring of traditional distinctions between manual and managerial workers - Flexible production methods - Intense global competition - The rise of knowledge workers

Nonunion employers usually pursue organizational goals by means of ______ - Collective bargaining strategies - Adversarial bargaining strategies - Alternative union strategies - Preventive labor relations strategies

Preventive labor relations strategies

Identify the trends associated with labor union membership in the United States. (Check all that apply.) - The overall number of union members grew into the 1970s, but it has declines since then. - Overall, union density in 2018 was 40 percent. - The public sector had twice as many union members in 1980 as in 1965. - The public sector union density in the United States has declined since 1955.

- The overall number of union members grew into the 1970s, but it has declines since then. - The public sector had twice as many union members in 1980 as in 1965.

A(n) ______ ______ exists when employees say they want more representation in the workplace than they have.

Representation gap

True or False: In the context of the labor union perspective, managerial opposition is a significant reason that workers themselves cite in explaining the absence of workplace representation.

True

True or false: U.S. labor law stipulates that is a majority of laborers in a particular workplace want union representation, their employers has a legal responsibility to negotiate with the union over wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

True

The ability of employees to have meaningful input into workplace decisions is know as ______.

Voice

The business need for flexibility conflicts with lengthy contracts that explain detailed work rules and has led to ______. - Experimentation with shorter, less detailed contracts - The elimination of contracts from the U.S. employment relationship - Universally applicable work rules and employment contracts - A compromise on fair practices in labor relations

Experimentation with shorter, less detailed contracts

Identify a true statement about union density. - It is an important factor that adds flexibility to labor relations. - It is a major indicator of the effectiveness of labor unions. - It is the vital measure of the state of organized labor. - It is the standard indicator of the efficiency of employers.

It is the vital measure of the state of organized labor.

One of the criticisms of 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 United States. (Check all that apply.) - Intense global competition - Mass manufacturing - American dimidiation of world markets - The rise of knowledge workers - The blurring of traditional distinctions between manual and managerial workers - Flexible production methods

- Intense global competition - The rise of knowledge workers - The blurring of traditional distinctions between manual and managerial workers - Flexible production methods

Identify the primary means that must unionized employers adopt to meet organizational goals. (Check all that apply.) - Collective bargaining - Progressive human resource management strategies - Dispute resolution through grievance procedures - Aggressive union-busting tactics - Adherence to union contracts

- Collective bargaining - Dispute resolution through grievance procedures - Adherence to union contracts

Drag and Drop the factors that fall under collective bargaining against the corresponding subjects of collective bargaining. - Compensation, Employee rights and responsibilities, Union rights and responsibilities, personnel policies and procedures, and dispute resolution and ongoing decision making. - Profit sharing, Recognition as bargaining agent, grievance procedures, workplace rules, overtime and vacation rules

- Compensation = profit sharing - Employee rights and responsibilities = workplace rules - Union rights and responsibilities = Recognition as bargaining agent - Personnel policies and procedures = overtime and vacation rules - Dispute resolution and ongoing decision making = grievance procedures

Which of the following are true of the objectives of the employment relationships in the United States? (Check all that apply.) - Interest of stakeholders trump those of shareholders. - Concerns such as equity and voice are seen as social issues that obstruct business. - Public sector agencies are required to focus on cost-effective service delivery. - Profits are viewed as the critical measure of economic health. - Workers' rights are considered to be as important as human rights. - Debates over workers' issues are addressed on the basis of their effects on labor costs and competitiveness.

- Concerns such as equity and voice are seen as social issues that obstruct business. - Public sector agencies are required to focus on cost-effective service delivery. - Profits are viewed as the critical measure of economic health. - Debates over workers' issues are addressed on the basis of their effects on labor costs and competitiveness.

Identify the true statements about the contemporary relevance of the study of labor relations? (Check all that apply.) - It deliberates the objectives of workers and society. - It conveniently assumes a neat world of rational agents interacting in perfectly competitive economic markets. - It takes into account the conflicts that can arise between competing groups in a world characterized by imperfect competition. - It focuses solely on the objective of businesses and consumers.

- It deliberates the objectives of workers and society. - It takes into account the conflicts that can arise between competing groups in a world characterized by imperfect competition.

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

- It is a standard of economic or business performance. - It can be met through workplace policies that promote flexibility and productivity.

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

- It is a standard of employee involvement. - It can be attained by ensuring employee autonomy and representation by labor unions.

Identify the true statements about the contemporary relevance of the study of labor relations? (Check all that apply.) - It takes into account the conflicts that can arise between competing groups in a world characterized by imperfect competition. - It focuses solely on the objectives of business and consumers. - It deliberates the objectives of workers and society. - It conveniently assumes a neat world of rational agents interacting in perfectly competitive economic markets.

- It takes into account the conflicts that can arise between competing groups in a world characterized by imperfect competition. - It deliberates the objectives of workers and society.

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

- Lack of productive communication between formal negotiating period of contracts adversely affects the need for flexibility and involvement. - The business need for cooperation an employee involvement conflicts with the traditionally adversarial bargaining process.

In the context of contemporary U.S. labor relations, match the outcomes of the greater bargaining power enjoyed by corporations with their impact on the desired objectives of labor relations. - Low pay and worker unrest, Long hours at low pay under unsafe and discriminatory work conditions, Employer dictation of employment conditions and autocratic supervision. - These outcomes violate the objective of equity. These can lead to inefficiencies through lack of consumer purchasing power and economic disruptions due to strikes and other disputes. They fail to provide employee voice and are against democratic standards.

- Low pay and worker unrest = These can lead to inefficiencies through lack of consumer purchasing power and economic disruptions due to strikes and other disputes. - Long hours at low pay under unsafe and discriminatory work conditions = These outcomes violate the objective of equity. - Employer dictation of employment conditions and autocratic supervision = They fail to provide employee voice and are against democratic standards.

In the context of collective bargaining, which of the following are included under the subject of employer rights and responsibilities? (Check all that apply.) - Management rights - Profit sharing - Transfer policies - Just cause discipline and discharge - Subcontracting - Safety standards

- Management rights - Just cause discipline and discharge - Subcontracting - Safety standards

In the context of the objectives of labor relations, identify the true statements about equity. (Check all that apply.) - Policies that dismiss workers for valid, performance-related reasons is a method of providing equity. - This objective can be pursued through employee autonomy and representation by labor unions. - It is a standard of economic or business performance - It is a standard of equitable treatment for employees.

- Policies that dismiss workers for valid, performance-related reasons is a method of providing equity. - It is a standard of equitable treatment for employees.

In the context of society's stake in labor relations, identify the benefits of labor relations. (Check all that apply.) - They serve to give a voice for workers in the political environment. - They aid democracy by allowing labor unions to encourage decent working and living conditions for citizens. - They encourage efficiency by providing incentives and promotions for bettering performing workers. - They promote the autonomy of laborers.

- They serve to give a voice for workers in the political environment. - They aid democracy by allowing labor unions to encourage decent working and living conditions for citizens.

Which of the following are true of an alternative perspective on the role of U.S. labor unions? (Check all that apply.) - Unions ensure escalated wages for their active members. - Unions bargain for extensive work rules to protect their members against unfair treatment by management. - Unions negotiate for the creation of extremely restrictive work policies. - Unions help secure better wages to ensure decent living standards for their members.

- Unions bargain for extensive work rules to protect their members against unfair treatment by management. - Unions help secure better wages to ensure decent living standards for their members.

Identify the most likely reasons for the decline in the demand for union services. (Check all that apply.) - Unions may not be doing a good job of responding to the wishes of a transforming workforce and overcoming the negative stereotypes of unions. - Change in the economy's focus from social welfare to profit-making may have obliterated the significance of unions. - Lack of employers' responsiveness to the needs to employees may have reduced the demand for union protection and advocacy. - Increased protective legislation may have given an alternative for unions.

- Unions may not be doing a good job of responding to the wishes of a transforming workforce and overcoming the negative stereotypes of unions. - Increased protective legislation may have given an alternative for unions.

Identify the most likely reasons for the decline in the demand for union services. (Check all that apply.) - Unions may not be doing a good job of responding to the wishes of transforming workforce and overcoming the negative stereotypes of unions. - Lack of employers' responsiveness to the needs of employees may have reduced the demand for union protection and advocacy. - Increased protective legislation may have given an alternative for unions. - Change in the economy's focus from social welfare to profit-making may have obliterated the significance of unions.

- Unions may not be doing a good job of responding to the wishes of transforming workforce and overcoming the negative stereotypes of unions. - Increased protective legislation may have given an alternative for unions.

Which of the following are true of the legal regulations on U.S. labor relations processes? (Check all that apply.) - Employers cannot dismiss their employees at will without a specific cause. - Workers cannot be dismissed or otherwise discriminated against on the basis of their support for a union. - Workers cannot form unions without the explicit consent of their employers. - Employers cannot intimidate employers or initiate other actions for the sole purpose of stopping unionization.

- Workers cannot be dismissed or otherwise discriminated against on the basis of their support for a union. - Employers cannot intimidate employers or initiate other actions for the sole purpose of stopping unionization.

Match the various perspectives on labor relations with their descriptions - Workers' perspective, Employers' perspective - Labor relations deal with integrated work-related protection, influence, and voice. Labor relations deal with managing relationships with labor unions and employees to promote business goals.

- Workers' perspective = Labor relations deal with integrated work-related protection, influence, and voice. - Employers' perspective = Labor relations deal with managing relationships with labor unions and employees to promote business goals.

Representatives of employers and employees negotiate the terms and conditions of employment that will apply to the employees through ______ ______.

Collective bargaining

Identify the primary objective of the employment relationship for business leaders, business schools, the business press, and business-friendly politicians in the United States. - Efficiency - Welfare - Voice - Equity

Efficiency

______ is the productive, profit-maximizing use of labor to promote economic prosperity.

Efficiency

From a perspective that values human self-determination, ______ is crucial for industrial democracy. - Employee voice - Empathy - Equity - Employee efficiency

Employee voice

The employment-at-will doctrine that governs the U.S. employment relationship gives ______. - Employees protection against change in the terms of their employment - Employees the right to form labor unions for the purpose of collective bargaining - Employers the power to dismiss workers without just cause - Employers protection against workers quitting at will

Employers the power to dismiss workers without just cause

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

Equity

True or false: The study of labor relations conveniently assumes a tidy world of rational agents communicating in perfectly competitive economic markets.

False

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

The rationale for the tight legal regulations on U.S. labor relation is to ______. - Ensure the creation of detailed work rule and employment contract. - Shift the significantly greater bargaining power enjoyed by corporations to unions. - Facilitate the governance of the U.S. employment relationship using the employment-at-will doctrine. - Permit laborers to unionize to equalize bargaining power between employees and employers.

Permit laborers to unionize to equalize bargaining power between employees and employers.

U.S. unions are stereotypical correlated with ______. - Low wages - Performance-based strategy - High productivity - Restrictive labor rules

Restrictive labor rules

Identify a trend associated with labor union membership in the United States. - Total union membership has been more stable in recent years because of a continued reduction in private sector membership has been offset by a rise in public sector membership. - Labor union membership has shown a steady growth from 1965. - The private sector had twice as many members in 1980 as in 1965. - In 2018, there were an estimated 20 million union members and another 12 million workers were covered by union contracts but were not union members.

Total union membership has been more stable in recent years because of a continued reduction in private sector membership has been offset by a rise in public sector membership.

True or false: In the context of the labor union perspective, managerial opposition is a significant reason that workers themselves cite in explaining the absence of workplace representation.

True

The percentage of workers who are union members is called ______ ______.

Union Density

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

The Wagner Act passed in 1935

Labor law regimes around the world believe that corporations have much greater bargaining power than nonunion workers. Identify the outcomes of their significant strength of corporations. (Check all that apply.) - Short working hours - Reduced disruptive strike activity - Autocratic supervision - Unsatisfactory wages and benefits - Discriminatory treatment

- Autocratic supervision - Unsatisfactory wages and benefits - Discriminatory treatment

In the context of possible reasons for the decline in union density, identify the tactics commonly used by U.S. employers to resist union organizing drives. (Check all that apply.) - By initiating employee-friendly policies - By dismissing supporters of labor unions - By influencing the legal system to discourage and delay organizing campaigns - By employing antiunion consultants - By advocating integrative bargaining and productive communication at workplace - By forcing strikes and then employing replacement laborers to bust unions.

- By dismissing supporters of labor unions - By influencing the legal system to discourage and delay organizing campaigns - By employing antiunion consultants - By forcing strikes and then employing replacement laborers to bust unions.

Which of the following are the ways by which legal regulations on U.S. labor relations achieve a balance between the objective of efficiency, equity, and voice? (Check all that apply.) - By prohibiting the exercise of employment-at-will doctrine - By achieving cost-effective delivery of services in the private sector - By offering democracy in the workplace - By attaining fair labor standards and protection against worker exploitation - By increasing workers' purchasing power and decreasing disruptive strike activity

- By offering democracy in the workplace - By attaining fair labor standards and protection against worker exploitation - By increasing workers' purchasing power and decreasing disruptive strike activity