Chapter 14—Understanding Unionization and Collective Bargaining
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. In the chapter opener vignette “Managing Human Resources at United Parcel Service,” __________
and the use of part-time workers were important issues in the strike between the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and UPS in 1997.
a.
pensions
b.
discipline
c.
grievance procedures
d.
seniority
e.
job security
2. Which of the following statements about why unionization and collective bargaining are important is
true?
a.
Unions obtain rights for their members that employees without unions do not legally have.
b.
Unions may help identify workplace hazards and improve the quality of work life for
employees.
c.
The core of union-management relations is collective bargaining.
d.
The possibility of unionization can significantly influence how an employer manages its
human resources.
e.
All of the above statements about why unionization and collective bargaining are
important are true.
3. Which of the following statements about why unionization and collective bargaining are important is
true?
a.
Employers typically do not change their methods of operation when union organizers
appear.
b.
The core of union-management relations is the grievance procedure.
c.
Unionization typically gives employers more flexibility in hiring new workers.
d.
Unions can help employees get high wages, generous benefits, and other desirable
conditions of employment.
e.
All of the above statements about why unionization and collective bargaining are
important are true.
4. _______________ clauses in collective bargaining agreements detail the specific grounds for
discipline or provide a general statement that discipline can only occur for proper and just reasons.
a.
Absolution
b.
Probable cause
c.
Reasonable doubt
d.
Just cause
e.
Impropriety
5. __________ employees tend to have higher salaries and substantially more benefits than __________
employees. Thus, _________ firms tend to have __________ labor costs than similar _________
firms.
a.
Unionized, nonunionized, nonunionized, higher, unionized
b.
Nonnionized, unionized, unionized, lower, nonunionized
c.
Unionized, nonunionized, unionized, higher, nonunionized
d.
Nonunionized, unionized, higher, nonunionized
e.
None of the above are correct.
6. __________ is the industry with the highest unionization rate
a.
Educational services
b.
Construction
c.
Health care
d.
Transportation and warehousing
e.
None of the above
7. Which of the following statements about the early days of unions is true?
a.
The beginning of the labor movement in the United States was after the Civil War during
the early days of industrialization.
b.
Early unions were immune to changes in economic conditions.
c.
Early unions used collective bargaining.
d.
Early unions all operated independently of each other.
e.
All of the above statements about the early days of unions are true.
8. What type of union-management relationship is becoming increasingly common today?
a.
adversarial
b.
cooperative
c.
reciprocal
d.
administrative
e.
paternal
9. The steady decline of membership in unions in the United States can be explained by:
a.
a decline in employment in industries that are highly unionized
b.
an increase in service-sector employment
c.
increased decertification of unions and management initiatives
d.
an increase in high tech and white-collar jobs
e.
all of the above
10. The majority of union members in the United States are:
a.
private sector employees
b.
service-sector employees
c.
health-care employees
d.
government employees
e.
none of the above
11. Which of the following groups provide the best opportunity for growth in union membership?
a.
younger workers
b.
minorities
c.
women
d.
all of the above
e.
none of the above
12. Which of the following is not a reason why many unions merged?
a.
to end costly jurisdictional disputes between unions
b.
to gain more financial strength
c.
to cover industries and occupations previously underrepresented
d.
to increase efficiency in union-organizing efforts
e.
to support the move toward global expansion
13. National unions:
a.
are umbrella organizations like the AFL-CIO
b.
are all affiliated with the AFL-CIO
c.
develop the general policies and procedures by which local unions operate
d.
serve as the primary arbitrator in employee-employer disputes
e.
routinely assist local unions in grievance-handling
14. Most large local unions elect a president and a secretary-treasurer and hire a full-time _____ to handle
grievances and negotiate contracts.
a.
employee spokesperson
b.
union liaison
c.
union steward
d.
business representative
e.
union delegate
15. Germaine has been hired full-time by a large local teacher’s union to handle their grievances and
contract negotiations. Germaine’s new job title is _____.
a.
negotiator
b.
steward
c.
spokesperson
d.
liaison
e.
business representative
16. Local unions elect a(n) _____, an employee elected by his or her work unit to act as the union
representative at the workplace and to respond to company actions against employees that may violate
the labor agreement.
a.
employee spokesperson
b.
union liaison
c.
union steward
d.
business representative
e.
union delegate
17. Edgar is a reporter for the business section of the local newspaper. In order to have better knowledge
of the inner workings of the union for the town’s largest employer, he has obtained permission to sit in
on a regular monthly meeting on a “deep background” basis. According to your textbook, Edgar is
likely to be struck by _____.
a.
the enthusiasm and “gung ho” spirit of the membership
b.
the low voter turnout
c.
a tire iron
d.
the high turnout at the meeting
e.
the attendance of middle management
18. The largest national union is:
a.
National Education Association (NEA)
b.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
c.
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
d.
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)
e.
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)
19. Which of the following laws is NOT among the laws that have been passed to provide legitimacy,
structure, and governance to unions:
a.
Title VII of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978
b.
National Labor Relations Act of 1935
c.
Labor Management Relations Act of 1947
d.
Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959
e.
Labor Management Anticorruption Act of 1963
20. One major function of the National Labor Relations Board is to:
a.
conduct the process in which a union is chosen to represent employees
b.
supervise the internal activities and finances of unions
c.
settle employee-employer disputes
d.
encourage the certification of unions
e.
reduce the number of economic strikes
21. Which of the following Bill of Rights for Union Members items is incorrect:
a.
Unions may impose assessments and raise dues only by democratic procedures.
b.
Union members have equal rights to nominate candidates for union office, vote in union
elections, and participate in union meetings.
c.
Unions must afford members a full and fair hearing of charges against them.
d.
Union members and nonmember employees have the right to receive and inspect a copy of
the collective bargaining agreement.
e.
Union members may enforce these rights through an arbitration process suit against the
union.
22. Which of the following union statements in favor of card checking is not incorrect according to the
findings of labor relations research?
a.
Card checking would simplify the certification process by eliminating an election.
b.
Card checking would end secret ballot certification elections.
c.
Card checking would remove employers’ distinct advantage in the election process.
d.
Card checking increases workers’ knowledge of the union recognition process.
e.
Card checking will substantially increase union membership.
23. Which of the following is not among the responsibilities of union and their officers under the
Landrum-Griffin Act?
a.
Managing funds and property of the union responsibly
b.
Bonding all officers who handle funds
c.
Filing information and financial reports annually
d.
Complying with numerous officer election regulations
e.
all of the above are responsibilities of the union and its officers under the act
24. What are the responsibilities of line managers in unionization and collective bargaining?
a.
to understand why employees are likely to join a union
b.
to manage employees with respect and equality
c.
to support the efforts of HR professionals in developing and implementing policies to
support good working conditions.
d.
to know what can and can’t be said to employees regarding unionization during an
organizing campaign
e.
to do all of the above
25. In a unionized setting, the union joins the “HR Triad” discussed throughout the text. Which of the
following is not one of the union’s responsibilities?
a.
to maintain traditional work methods
b.
to seek improvements in wages for employees
c.
to abide by laws and regulations governing legal union activities
d.
to offer to work with management to improve company profitability and survival
e.
to bargain with line managers and HR professionals
26. Last year, Mukluk, Inc., a small family-owned manufacturer of mud and snow boots was bought by a
larger organization when the founder of the small firm decided to retire. With the change in
management came many changes in policies, procedures and organizational culture. It used to be a
“laid-back” and informal organization, where any line employee could talk personally with the
founder. Now, rules are strict, production quotas are high, and line employees are grumbling that the
supervisors are “slave drivers.” What has changed about this organization that will make it prone to
unionization?
a.
the collective bargaining climate
b.
the exclusivity of the employees
c.
the psychological contract
d.
the situational instrumentality
e.
the essentiality of the jobs
27. Which of the following describes an employee who would most likely be able to force an employer to
improve work conditions?
a.
Goran is the only person Hartley Construction employs who will clean debris from work
sites.
b.
Bill is a skillful market researcher for a marketing consulting firm.
c.
Anna manages a database for a telemarketer and is the only one who understands the
system she designed.
d.
Karin is the only person in her office who can use the accounting software that the
company bought even though it is simple to use.
e.
Adam has a commercial driver’s license and a twenty-year safe driving record.
28. Which of the following statements about union instrumentality is true?
a.
The more employees believe a union can obtain positive work aspects, the more
instrumental employees perceive the union to be in removing the causes of their
dissatisfaction.
b.
Employee willingness to support a union is related strictly to union instrumentality over
monetary aspects of employment.
c.
Employees are interested in unionization when costs exceed benefits.
d.
Union instrumentality reflects the level of dissatisfaction felt by employees.
e.
Union instrumentality is determined by the level of decentralization within the
organization.
29. Which of the following is an example of a condition that strongly influences an employee’s decision to
join a union?
a.
organizational mission statement
b.
union instrumentality
c.
employee personality
d.
management’s open door policy
e.
a lack of formalization
30. What is the first step in the union certification process?
a.
gain employer approval of unionization
b.
union-employee contact
c.
get sufficient number of employees to sign authorization cards
d.
set up a meeting between employees and an NLRB representative
e.
inform all stakeholders of union interest
31. During the first stage of the union certification process, employers must be careful not to:
a.
misrepresent the facts about the union
b.
threaten employees with pay reductions if they support a union
c.
allow solicitation by union activists
d.
make unscheduled changes in wages, benefits, or hours
e.
all of the above activities are prohibited
32. In order for the NLRB to be petitioned for a representation election, union organizers must secure
authorization cards from _____ of the company employees who will make up the bargaining unit.
a.
10%
b.
30%
c.
33%
d.
50%
e.
75%
33. What happens once the union begins the campaign to collect authorization cards?
a.
If the union gets 75 percent or more of the qualified employees to sign the cards, the
employer must accept the union as a bargaining agent.
b.
If the union gets at least 50 percent or more of the qualified employees to sign the cards,
the NLRB must conduct an election.
c.
The union needs 30 percent or more of the qualified employees to sign the cards in order
to petition the NLRB for an election.
d.
The employer usually resists the union’s card-signing campaign.
e.
The employer typically supports the union’s card-signing campaign in order to reduce
disruption in the workplace during the campaign.
34. A large private high school is in the midst of a union organizing campaign. Teachers, clerical
employees, janitorial employees and groundskeepers are all showing high interest in the union. Which
is the most likely composition of the bargaining unit(s)?
a.
All school employees will be in one bargaining unit.
b.
There will be two units: one for professional employees and one for all other employees.
c.
There will be two units: inside employees will be in one unit, with outside employees in
another.
d.
There will be three units: teachers will be in one unit, clerical employees in another, and
all other employees in a third.
e.
There will be two units: persons with a high school education or less in one unit and
persons with bachelor’s degrees or more education will be in the other unit.
35. If a certification election is held, and the union loses, how soon can a new election be held?
a.
the next month
b.
in six months
c.
in one year
d.
never, a new union would have to petition to be certified
e.
there is no time restriction on certification elections
36. Which of the following statements during the election campaign would probably be viewed negatively
by the NLRB?
a.
Management says that unions are costly to the employees because of union dues.
b.
Management says that if a union is formed, strikes may occur.
c.
The union promises that a grievance procedure will ensure fair treatment of employees
d.
The union promises higher wages.
e.
Management says that layoffs will occur if a union is elected.
37. Decertification elections:
a.
are conducted by employers
b.
can remove a union from representation
c.
are conduced by the local union
d.
are conducted by the national union
e.
can pre-empt the card-signing campaign
38. The check-out clerks at a large grocery store are in negotiations with management. The last remaining
issue to settle is the hourly wage. In their earlier meetings, the clerks’ bargaining committee has
decided that although they are demanding $9.50 an hour, they will settle for nothing less than $8.75.
Management’s bargaining committee has decided that their highest offer will be $8.50. This situation is
an example of _____.
a.
a negative settlement range
b.
a positive settlement range
c.
an incompatible settlement range
d.
a distributive settlement range
e.
a settlement range of $.25
39. The check-out clerks at a large grocery store are in negotiations with management. The last remaining
issue to settle is the hourly wage. In their earlier meetings, the clerks’ bargaining committee has
decided that although they are demanding $9.50 an hour, they will settle for nothing less than $8.75.
Management’s bargaining committee has decided that their highest offer will be $8.50. Union’s figure
of $8.75 is its _____.
a.
initial demand point
b.
target point
c.
resistance point
d.
strike point
e.
settlement point
40. Which of the following types of bargaining used in contract negotiation results in a win-lose situation?
a.
intraorganizational
b.
distributive
c.
integrative
d.
continuous
e.
concessionary
41. During contract negotiations, one of the negotiators says to his opposing negotiator, “Let’s think out of
the box on this problem. We are stuck on trying to divide up the pie. Why don’t we try to make the pie
bigger? That way we can both benefit.” This negotiator is trying to move toward _____ bargaining.
a.
intraorganizational
b.
distributive
c.
integrative
d.
continuous
e.
concessionary
42. The intention of _____ bargaining between union and management representatives is to focus on
creative solutions that reconcile (integrate) the parties’ interests and yield joint benefits.
a.
integrative
b.
continuous
c.
concessionary
d.
intraorganizational
e.
distributive
43. When economic conditions threaten the very existence of the unionized organization, _____
bargaining is often used so the organization can survive.
a.
intraorganizational
b.
distributive
c.
integrative
d.
continuous
e.
concessionary
44. Which of the following statements is not true about cooperative union-management relationships?
a.
the union and management are partners
b.
cooperative arrangements are particularly fragile
c.
the union is jointly responsible with management for reaching a suitable solution to a
business challenge
d.
labor and management solve problems, share information, and integrate outcomes.
e.
These relationships are more common in the U.S. than in Europe
45. Which of the following statements about continuous bargaining as a means of contract negotiation is
true?
a.
It uses no outside experts because those involved know firsthand the problems that need to
be dealt with.
b.
It focuses on internal problems rather than external events.
c.
It uses an authoritative approach to problem-solving.
d.
With continuous bargaining, frequent meetings are held during the life of the contract.
e.
All of the above statements about continuous bargaining are true.
46. During contract negotiations, it becomes clear that management will either agree to more generous
medical benefits or to a moderate hourly wage increase. Older (thus, more senior) union members
already make high wages and they have many medical expenses for themselves and their families.
Younger (less senior) union members make lower wages and, since they are younger and less likely to
be married or have children, they are not very interested in medical benefits. In order for the union to
present a united face to management at the bargaining table, what needs to occur here?
a.
intraorganizational bargaining
b.
distributive bargaining
c.
integrative bargaining
d.
continuous bargaining
e.
concessionary bargaining
47. Which of the following statements about the composition of negotiating committees is true?
a.
The employer and the union together select the management representative.
b.
Lawyers are not selected as members of negotiating committees.
c.
National union representatives are not included in any negotiating committee.
d.
The union does not have to have management approval of its representative on the
negotiating committee.
e.
No one who is not a member of the union or an employee of the organization can be a
member of the negotiating committee.
48. When a single union negotiates with several companies, the employers may bargain as a group. At the
local level this is called _____ bargaining.