978-1119032748 Chapter 14 Solution Manual

Unlock access to all the studying documents.

View Full Document

Chapter 14: Understanding Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

Reviewing Important Concepts

1. What is a union and why do they exist? (LO 1, 2)

A union is an organization of workers, acting collectively, seeking to promote and protect

its mutual interests through collective bargaining. Individuals who join unions usually do

so for the following reasons:

2. Explain the three pieces of legislation that have been most important in defining the

rights of management and unions. (LO 2, 3)

The three laws are the Wagner (National Labor Relations) Act of 1935; the Taft-Hartley

(Labor-Management Relations) Act of 1947; and the Landrum-Griffin (Labor and

Management Reporting and Disclosure) Act of 1959. These three laws represent the most

3. What is the process for establishing a union as the legal collective bargaining

representative for employees? (LO 4)

The organizing effort may be started by an employee request or union organizing drive.

At least 30 percent of employees who would be represented must sign authorization cards

4. Describe the collective-bargaining process and how it differs for private-sector and

public-sector employees. (LO 5, 7)

Collective bargaining typically refers to the negotiation, administration, and interpretation

of a written agreement between two parties that covers a specific period of time.

The steps include preparing to negotiate, negotiating at the bargaining table, union

P a g e 1

Chapter 14: Understanding Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

5. Summarize the ways unions differ globally. (LO 8)

Differences include interpretation of collective bargaining, the amount of government

Evaluating Alternatives

6. In response to state budget problems, a bill has been introduced in your state

legislature that eliminates a number of public-sector union activities, including the

dues check-off and maintenance-of-membership clauses with the intent of reducing

union membership and influence. Your coworker Jack explains that he thinks it’s

the end of unions in your state. “These actions will totally cripple public employee

unions. It’s going to be really tough to keep members.” Audrey, another coworker

disagrees. According to Audrey, “The dues check-off and

maintenance-of-membership clauses are just a matter of convenience. They don’t

affect the reasons employees join the union in the first place.” Evaluate their

positions. Are the actions in the bill legal? How important are dues check-off and

maintenance-of-membership clauses to union membership? Who do you think is

most correct and why? (LO 1, 2, 7)

Jack’s position: These actions strengthen the right-to-work position in your state, which

reduces union influence and membership. It’s hard for unions to collect dues without the

payroll deduction benefits of “dues check-off”. Losing “maintenance of membership”

Audrey’s position: Although those actions do make it more difficult for unions to keep

7. “Unions have become so weak, and their public image is so bad, that you don’t need

to worry about them showing up and demanding to represent your employees. Let

them go ahead and try to distribute authorization cards. If you treat your employees

well, pay them a fair wage and make sure they have a safe work environment, there

is no way they’ll want to pay a union to represent them.” How much truth is there in

this statement? Do you agree or disagree? Explain your position. (LO 1, 2, 4)

Many employers have been successful in resisting union efforts by having fair pay and

safe work environment, but other factors lead to employee interest in unions such as

Research and Communication Skills

P a g e 2

Chapter 14: Understanding Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

These activities require students to research a topic and report the findings to the instructor or the

class. They can be assigned to either individuals or groups and are designed to develop critical

Activity Summaries

8. Students “fact check” an online video that supports or discourages union membership.

9. What is the status of “right to work” laws in your state and nationally? Students find out

Making a Difference: Service Learning Projects

Overview: Service Learning Projects provide students with opportunities to develop and

demonstrate HR skills and build a professional network that will assist in getting a job in HR.

The activities that relate to this chapter on Labor Relations encourages students to contact unions

or union members (including local schools) and volunteer assistance of some kind. A sample

assignment with requirements and grading materials is available at the front of the Instructor’s

Manual and as a download from the text website.

Case Application 14 – A: Manager’s Concerns Spiral as Video Goes Viral

Exactitude Manufacturing implemented a new compensation system a year ago and it hasn’t

been very well received by their employees. The employees are understandably frustrated and

have taken to social media to express their frustration in creative ways. When an employee music

video goes viral and is featured on a local news show, managers worry a union may be in the

works and have several questionable suggestions for stopping it.

Questions:

1. Evaluate the different concerns of Anthony, Bert, Carla, and Quang from legal and

ethical perspectives. Which actions are problematic and why? (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

Anthony’s concerns of going back to the old pay system would probably result in workers

who are concerned about seniority being rewarded, very happy. However, the employees

Bert’s concern about the making of the video are just allegations and without actual proof

P a g e 3

Chapter 14: Understanding Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

the video) could make the argument that other employees have used the work time to

send personal emails and/or make personal phone calls and that this (making the video)

There are two very serious problems with Carla’s recommendations. First, it is illegal for

Finally, Quang’s point that Exactitude will close the plant and move the operations to

2. What are the steps employees need to take if they wish to certify a union to

represent them? (LO 4)

The union must secure signed authorization cards from at least 30% of the employees it

wishes to represent.

3. Suggest ways that Exactitude could establish a situation similar to the one Tyler

described if a union is certified. (LO 1)

Exactitude should work with the union representatives to establish a working relationship

that would be beneficial to both parties. As the “employees’ representative” the union

would be concerned with the new pay system, possibly other working conditions and

4. Research: Find examples of ways unions use social media to recruit membership.

What social media sites are used and how effective are the union messages?

Pretty much any union has a thorough array of social media accounts. AFL-CIO,

Case Application 14-B: Why the Easter Bunny Got Stuck in San Francisco

A lengthy labor dispute between West Coast dockworkers and the shipping companies created

problems when a work slow-down created a backlog of merchandise and produce waiting to be

P a g e 4

Chapter 14: Understanding Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

shipped and dozens of ships floating off the west coast waiting to be unloaded. The President

1. How might labor disputes change if the Taft–Hartley Act is changed to allow the

President to intervene in labor disputes that have not resulted in lockouts or strikes?

What criteria should determine whether the President or other governing group can

take over labor negotiations? (LO 2, 3, 7)

Any action to weaken the rights of unions would certainly undermine their power and

reduce their influence.

2. Examine the “unfair labor practices” explained in the chapter. Discuss whether

slowdowns should qualify as unfair labor practices like wildcat strikes. (LO 2, 6, 7)

Slow-downs seem qualify as refusing to bargain collectively with representatives chosen

3. Research: Look for other examples of labor disputes that affected the local, national,

or global economy. Explain the situations, effects, and how they were resolved. (LO

1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8)

Although labor disputes are less frequent in the U.S., they still exist. Students will also

Online Case Application 14 – A: TEAM FUN

Questions:

1. How accurate is Kenny’s description of the union organizing process? Explain where he

is right and wrong. (LO 2, 4)

2. Explain to Norton the union activities he remembers from their Texas job. (LO 6)

3. Examine the reasons employees join unions and evaluate the likelihood that TEAM FUN

employees will begin the organizing process. (LO 1)

4. Identify any unfair labor practices, past or future, mentioned in the case. (LO 2, 3, 4)

P a g e 5