test chp 15

Question 1

A(n) _____ is defined as a formal association of workers that promotes the interests of its members through collective action.

Answer 1

union

A union represents workers’ interests collectively.

Question 2

Which of the following is typically true of unions in the United States?

Answer 2

They try to improve working conditions.

Unions advocate for better conditions for their members.

Question 3

One of the primary reasons for the unionization of employees in the United States is _____

Answer 3

that employees are dissatisfied with how they are treated by their employers.

Dissatisfaction often drives workers to seek collective representation.

Question 4

Which of the following is an advantage of union representation in organizations?

Answer 4

The opportunity for employees to provide feedback to employers.

Union representation can provide a structured channel for employee feedback.

Question 5

Identify a true statement regarding unions in the United States.

Answer 5

Union workers frequently receive higher compensation than do nonunion workers.

Unions often negotiate better pay for their members.

Question 6

Which of the following is a legal strategy that an organization can use to prevent unionization?

Answer 6

Encouraging employee feedback and offering fair compensation.

Employers may use various strategies to discourage union efforts.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is true of collective bargaining issues?

Answer 7

Virtually all labor contracts include management rights that give the management of an organization the unilateral right to make changes in areas not identified in a labor contract.

Management rights can limit union influence in certain areas.

Question 8

Union membership of employed individuals in the United States _____

Answer 8

has decreased over the years.

This trend reflects various economic and legal changes affecting unions.

Question 9

The long-term decline in union membership in the United States has been attributed to the _____

Answer 9

passage of laws that protect workers.

Legal protections have reduced the perceived need for unions.

Question 10

To some extent, unions may be considered victims of their own success because:

Answer 10

they have successfully passed most of the important issues that affect workers into law and may no longer be considered necessary.

Successful advocacy can lead to reduced union relevance.

Question 11

Which of the following is a reason for the decline in U.S. union membership?

Answer 11

The movement of low-skill jobs in U.S. manufacturing companies with unionized workforces to Mexico.

Offshoring impacts unionized job availability.

Question 12

The most highly unionized part of the workforce in the United States is the _____

Answer 12

government sector.

Government jobs often have higher unionization rates.

Question 13

In the United States, which of the following is most likely a reason why laws prohibit police officers and firefighters from conducting strikes?

Answer 13

Strikes by police officers and firefighters may endanger public health and safety.

Essential services often have restrictions on striking.

Question 14

In the context of unions, which of the following statements is true of white-collar workers?

Answer 14

They view unions as not being in touch with the concerns of the more educated workers in technical and professional jobs.

White-collar workers may feel less represented by unions.

Question 15

Meatpacking workers, nursing home aides, building cleaners, and janitors are being targeted by unions for the purpose of increasing union membership because these workers _____

Answer 15

are relatively dissatisfied with their jobs.

Targeting dissatisfied workers can help unions grow.

Question 16

Which of the following collective bargaining issues can be classified as a permissive issue?

Answer 16

Benefits for retired employees.

Permissive issues are not required to be negotiated.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is true of the unions and managements of today?

Answer 17

Some union leaders and employer representatives recognize that cooperation between management and labor unions is a useful route if organizations are to compete effectively in the global economy.

Collaboration can enhance competitiveness.

Question 18

Gloria, an employee of Bargello Inc. and an active member of the company’s union, is elected as the representative of Bargello’s unionized workers. She represents employees at the workplace and discusses their grievances with HR managers. In this scenario, Gloria is most likely _____

Answer 18

the union steward of the company’s union.

Union stewards play a key role in representing workers.

Question 19

The Railway Labor Act of 1926 was the result of a joint effort between railroad management and unions to:

Answer 19

reduce the number of transportation strikes.

The Act aimed to stabilize labor relations in the railroad industry.

Question 20

In the context of U.S. labor laws, airlines and their employees were added to those covered by the _____ in 1936.

Answer 20

Railway Labor Act.

This expansion included airline workers in labor protections.

Question 21

In 1932, the U.S. Congress passed the _____, which guaranteed workers some rights to organize and restricted the issuance of court injunctions in labor disputes.

Answer 21

Norris-LaGuardia Act.

This Act was significant in protecting workers’ rights.

Question 22

Which of the following U.S. labor laws has been called the Magna Carta of labor and was pro-union?

Answer 22

Wagner Act.

The Wagner Act established key rights for unions.

Question 23

The _____, which prohibited employers from using unfair labor practices, declared that the official policy of the U.S. government was to encourage collective bargaining.

Answer 23

Wagner Act.

The Act set a pro-labor policy framework.

Question 24

The Taft-Hartley Act requires that the _____ be notified of disputes over contract renewals or modifications if they were not settled within 30 days after the designated date.

Answer 24

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

This requirement involves federal oversight in labor disputes.

Question 25

Which of the following U.S. labor laws passed in 1947 is considered to be pro-management?

Answer 25

Taft-Hartley Act. ## Footnote This Act imposed restrictions on union activities.

Question 26

Which of the following statements is true of right-to-work laws?

Answer 26

They restrict compulsory union membership. ## Footnote Right-to-work laws allow workers to opt-out of union membership.

Question 27

Lemuel applies for a job at a local construction company that is located in a state that does not have right-to-work laws. He is told that he must join the employee union at the company before he can be hired. This employer has a(n) _____

Answer 27

closed shop. ## Footnote Closed shops require union membership for employment.

Question 28

Which of the following statements is true of a union shop?

Answer 28

It requires workers to join the union, usually 30 to 60 days after being hired. ## Footnote Union shops allow for some flexibility in membership timing.

Question 29

A(n) _____ is an arrangement where workers who don't join a union must make payments equal to union dues and fees to get union representation services.

Answer 29

agency shop. ## Footnote Agency shops ensure that non-members contribute to union costs.

Question 30

The Landrum-Griffin Act was passed in 1959 to:

Answer 30

protect the democratic rights of union members. ## Footnote This Act focuses on internal union governance.

Question 31

Colleen, an active union member, applies for a job at a company that her union has targeted so that she can start organizing efforts in favor of the union. She is also being paid by the union for her efforts. Which of the following practices does this scenario illustrate?

Answer 31

Salting. ## Footnote Salting involves union members infiltrating non-union workplaces to promote unionization.

Question 32

In the context of the typical unionization process, _____ of the employees in the targeted group in a company must sign authorization cards before a representation election can be scheduled.

Answer 32

at least 30 percent. ## Footnote This threshold is necessary to initiate the election process.

Question 33

In the context of a union representation election, which of the following statements is true?

Answer 33

Supervisors cannot be included in bargaining units for unionization purposes, except in industries covered by the Railway Labor Act. ## Footnote Supervisor exclusion is a key feature in unionization.

Question 34

_____ is a process whereby a union is removed as the representative of a group of employees.

Answer 34

Decertification. ## Footnote Decertification can occur through a vote by the employees.

Question 35

The process by which representatives of management and workers negotiate over wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment is called _____

Answer 35

collective bargaining. ## Footnote Collective bargaining is essential for labor relations.

Question 36

In the context of the continuum of collective bargaining relations, which of the following bargaining patterns is relatively rare in U.S. labor history and is illegal?

Answer 36

Collusion. ## Footnote Collusion undermines fair labor practices.

Question 37

Which of the following is a union security provision?

Answer 37

A no-layoff policy. ## Footnote Union security provisions can include various job protections.

Question 38

During contract negotiations at a manufacturing company, the union negotiator brings up the issue of increasing workers' wages. Which of the following statements is true in this situation?

Answer 38

The management needs to negotiate on this issue as it is a mandatory issue. ## Footnote Wage discussions are typically non-negotiable in labor contracts.

Question 39

The process by which union members vote to accept the terms of a negotiated labor agreement is called _____

Answer 39

ratification. ## Footnote Ratification is a critical step in finalizing labor agreements.

Question 40

During contract negotiations, the management of RMS Inc. and its employee union fail to reach an agreement on an issue related to pay scales for the night shift. A neutral third party is called in to actively work with both sides and help them reach a settlement. This party suggests several ideas that could help in resolving the issue, and the management and the union eventually make a decision and reach a settlement. In the context of bargaining impasses, the process used in the given scenario is referred to as _____

Answer 40

mediation. ## Footnote Mediation involves a neutral third party facilitating negotiations.

Question 41

During contract negotiations, the management of Wild Mist Inc. and its employee union fail to reach an agreement on an issue related to retirement benefits. A neutral third party is called in to come up with a solution and make a decision on behalf of the management and the union. In the context of bargaining impasses, the process used in the given scenario is referred to as _____

Answer 41

arbitration. ## Footnote Arbitration results in a binding decision from the third party.

Question 42

_____ occur when members of one union walk out to force an employer to assign work to them instead of to members of another union.

Answer 42

Jurisdictional strikes. ## Footnote Jurisdictional strikes can cause conflicts between unions.

Question 43

After a series of failed negotiations with its union, Sinclair Processing Inc. shuts down its manufacturing unit to prevent union members from working. Sinclair Processing is most likely using _____ to put pressure on the union.

Answer 43

a lockout. ## Footnote Lockouts are a strategy to exert pressure on unions during disputes.

Question 44

The union contract between the union and the management of Gable Electronics Inc. includes a no-strike clause that is valid till the date of the contract's expiration. When a supervisor threatens a salary cut for those unionized employees who refuse to work on the weekend, the employees directly conduct a strike without approval of the union leadership. In this scenario, the employees are conducting a(n) _____

Answer 44

wildcat strike. ## Footnote Wildcat strikes are unauthorized and often violate contract terms.

Question 45

The goal of each stage of the grievance procedure is _____

Answer 45

to resolve the grievance and not proceeding to the next stage. ## Footnote Resolution at each stage is critical to the grievance process.

Question 46

Amanda is suspended by her manager for refusing to work the night shift. She decides to file a grievance with the HR unit in her company. Which of the following should be Amanda's first step?

Answer 46

Discussing the grievance with her union steward and supervisor. ## Footnote Initial discussions are essential for addressing grievances.

Question 47

_____ is a means by which a third party settles disputes arising from different or conflicting interpretations of a labor contract.

Answer 47

Grievance arbitration. ## Footnote Grievance arbitration helps clarify contract terms.

Question 48

In the context of union-management cooperation, successful organizational restructurings occur when:

Answer 48

unions obtain and share information with their members and work constructively with the company management. ## Footnote Information sharing can facilitate productive relationships.

Question 49

In the context of the Wagner Act and the rulings of the National Labor Relations Board, which of the following is a key to decisions allowing employee-involvement committees and programs?

Answer 49

Employee-involvement committees and programs should not deal directly with traditional collective bargaining issues such as wages, hours, and working conditions. ## Footnote This ensures separation of roles in labor relations.

Question 50

Unions in the United States have historically emphasized _____

Answer 50

wages, benefits, job security, and working conditions. ## Footnote These areas are central to union objectives.