Question 1

The Wagner Act specified unfair practices that unions might commit against workers and management.

Accepted Answer

The Wagner Act, also known as the National Labor Relations Act, was passed in 1935 to protect the rights of employees to form and join trade unions. It did not specify unfair practices that unions might commit against workers and management, but rather prohibited unfair labor practices by employers and recognized the right of employees to engage in collective bargaining.

Question 2

Under a union shop agreement, all employees must join the union or be fired.

Accepted Answer

In a union shop, all employees must join the union as a condition of employment. Failure to do so can result in termination.

Question 3

The percentage of people who belonged to unions was larger in the year 2003 than in the 1950s.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The percentage of people who belonged to unions was much higher in the 1950s, with around 30% of the workforce being unionized, compared to around 12% in 2003.

Question 4

Labor unions have more bargaining strength than individual employees do in negotiating with an employer.

Accepted Answer

Labor unions represent a collective group of employees, which gives them more bargaining power and leverage in negotiations with employers, compared to an individual employee negotiating alone. Unions can also use tactics such as strikes or work stoppages to pressure employers, which individual employees do not have the ability to do on their own.

Question 5

Employment practices based on seniority are a cardinal belief of labor unions.

Accepted Answer

It is true that seniority-based employment practices are an important belief held by labor unions. This means that employees with more years of service to a company are given preference in terms of job security, promotions, and other benefits. This practice aims to protect long-serving workers and give them stability in their employment.

Question 6

The Landrum-Griffin Act contains an employees' bill of rights that protects employees from possible abuse by unscrupulous managers and union leaders.

Accepted Answer

The Landrum-Griffin Act, also known as the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, includes provisions for protecting employees from potential abuses by both unions and employers. These protections include a bill of rights for union members, financial reporting requirements for labor organizations, and restrictions on union officials' activities, among other things.

Question 7

Small businesses encourage union membership.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not accurate. While some small businesses may support union membership, there is no inherent encouragement or discouragement from the size of the business. It ultimately depends on the beliefs and values of the individual business owner.

Question 8

Employee associations are organizations that function as labor unions.

Accepted Answer

Employee associations serve as representatives for workers in their dealings with management, advocating for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Question 9

By 1996, all states had right to work laws, that gave workers the right to join or refuse to join a union without being fired.

Accepted Answer

By 1996, all states had enacted right to work laws, which allowed workers to choose whether or not to join a union and prevented employers from firing employees for refusing to join.

Question 10

Industrial unions differ from craft unions in that all workers in a given industry, such as craftsmen, unskilled workers, and clerical employees, belong to the same union.

Accepted Answer

Industrial unions represent all workers in a given industry, while craft unions only represent workers in a specific skilled trade.

Question 11

The late 19th century was a time in which workers were fairly treated by management, leading to union decline.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The late 19th century was actually a time of significant labor unrest, with workers often facing harsh and exploitative conditions. This led to the growth of labor unions and the rise of the labor movement.

Question 12

In an agency shop, all employees must pay union dues even if they choose not to join the union.

Accepted Answer

In an agency shop, employees are required to pay union dues or an equivalent fee even if they do not choose to become a union member. This is because the union is still bargaining and providing benefits to all employees, not just those who are members.

Question 13

Employees were generally ill-treated in the early colonies because of a shortage of jobs and an oversupply of labor.

Accepted Answer

In the early colonies, there was actually a shortage of labor and an oversupply of land, which often led to better treatment of employees to attract and retain them.

Question 14

As of the year 2003, 55 percent of nonagricultural workers are members of unions.

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2003, only 13.2 percent of nonagricultural workers were members of unions.

Question 15

Management's freedom of choice has been increased by unions.

Accepted Answer

Unions often negotiate collective bargaining agreements that limit management's ability to make certain decisions unilaterally, thereby reducing management's freedom of choice.

Question 16

The shift toward more educated and technologically oriented service worker is one of the reasons for declining union membership.

Accepted Answer

As service jobs have become more skilled and require higher levels of education, workers in these fields tend to be less likely to unionize. Additionally, technological advancements have allowed for more remote work and independent contracting, further decreasing union membership.

Question 17

Daniel Guners was the AFL's first president.

Accepted Answer

Daniel Guners was not the AFL's first president; the first president of the AFL (American Federation of Labor) was Samuel Gompers.

Question 18

The basic concepts of unionism were developed during the late 1880s under the leadership of Samuel Gompers.

Accepted Answer

Samuel Gompers is widely recognized as one of the founders of the modern labor movement and played a significant role in shaping the basic concepts of unionism during the late 1880s.

Question 19

The NLRB has the power to enforce the basic labor laws.

Accepted Answer

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is responsible for enforcing the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and protecting the rights of employees to organize and engage in collective bargaining. Therefore, the NLRB has the power to enforce basic labor laws.

Question 20

The law forming the legal basis for union-management relations is the Wagner Act, as later amended.

Accepted Answer

The Wagner Act, also known as the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), is the federal law that governs the relationship between unions and employers in the private sector. It has been amended numerous times, most recently in 2009.

Quiz 16: The Supervisor, Labor Relations, and Legal Issues