Question 1

A mediator has the power to impose a binding settlement on labor and management.

Accepted Answer

A mediator can make recommendations, but they do not have the power to impose a binding settlement on either party. It is up to both labor and management to agree on the terms of the settlement.

Question 2

A bargaining zone is the time period during which a third party is used to reach agreement on union disputes.

Accepted Answer

A bargaining zone refers to the range of possible agreement between the employer and the union, and does not necessarily involve the use of a third party mediator.

Question 3

Many of the negotiated labor-management agreements in the United States call for the use of an arbitrator to end labor disputes.

Accepted Answer

Many labor-management agreements include provisions for arbitration as a means of resolving disputes between unions and management. Arbitration is a process of resolving disputes in which an impartial third party hears both sides and makes a binding decision. This can help to prevent strikes and other disruptions to workplace operations.

Question 4

Arbitration is an agreement to bring in an impartial third party to render a binding decision in a labor dispute.

Accepted Answer

Arbitration is a process used to resolve disputes between parties with the help of an impartial third party. The decision made by the arbitrator is binding and final.

Question 5

The vast majority of grievances filed by union members are negotiated and resolved by shop stewards and supervisory managers.

Accepted Answer

Shop stewards and supervisory managers are responsible for handling the majority of employee grievances and resolving them through negotiation and mediation. Only a small percentage of grievances escalate to involve higher-level management or require formal arbitration.

Question 6

Arbitration and mediation are alike in that both involve an impartial third party to help in the negotiation process. The differences in these two approaches is that an arbitrator's decision is binding and both parties agree to this on the front end; a mediator encourages the two conflicting parties to continue to negotiate and may make suggestions in pursuit of a resolution.

Accepted Answer

Mediation is a process whereby an impartial third party steps in to help bring the two parties to resolution. The mediator makes suggestions but does not bind the parties to an agreement. An arbitrator is an agreed-upon third party who listens to both parties and prepares a binding decision in the labor dispute.

Question 7

A union shop agreement is illegal in states that have passed right-to-work laws.

Accepted Answer

Right-to-work laws prohibit union security agreements, including union shop agreements, which require employees to join a union as a condition of employment.

Question 8

Over the years, Jennifer has acted in a number of supporting roles on TV sitcoms. Her last contract obligated her to perform in 22 episodes for a stipend of $500 per episode. Upon completion of the 11th episode, Jennifer broke her leg and was not able to complete the episodes in a timely manner. The studio claimed that Jennifer broke her contract and they are not obligated to pay her. She is confident that an impartial third party will view her circumstances as exceptional and will rule that she be reimbursed for the 11 performances. She has agreed to mediation.

Accepted Answer

Jennifer has agreed to arbitration, whereby an impartial third-party official is brought in to arbitrate a binding decision. Mediation also involves a third-party participant; however, this person keeps negotiations alive, by encouraging both parties to continue to negotiate and will also make suggestions to bring each side closer to resolution.

Question 9

Under an agency shop agreement, only union members are represented at the bargaining table.

Accepted Answer

Under an agency shop agreement, all employees in the bargaining unit are represented at the bargaining table, regardless of whether they are union members or not. However, non-union members may be required to pay a fee for the cost of bargaining and administering the collective bargaining agreement.

Question 10

Haven was recently hired to work at a production plant at Marshall Manufacturing. Upon her hiring, she was told she must join the union within 90 days in order to keep her job. Haven is employed in an agency shop.

Accepted Answer

An arrangement that requires workers to join a union within a specified period of time in order to keep their jobs is called a union shop agreement.

Question 11

At the Atalanta Company, labor and management have reached a stalemate in their efforts to negotiate an acceptable labor-management agreement. The two sides have agreed to bring in an arbitrator. If the arbitrator issues a ruling that the union does not like, it can still reject the decision.

Accepted Answer

An arbitrator has the authority to render a binding decision.

Question 12

In the past, a variety of professionals have served as mediators. If a labor dispute were to break out between the management at an auto manufacturer and the local union that represents workers at the auto manufacturing plant, it would be highly unusual for a university professor who has studied labor relations to be asked to mediate. The disputing parties would save his time for something more serious like arbitration.

Accepted Answer

Typical professionals who serve as mediators are college professors, attorneys, and elected political officials.

Question 13

Under an open shop agreement, workers have the option to join or not join a union, if one is present in the workplace.

Accepted Answer

Under an open shop agreement, workers are not required to join a union in order to work in the workplace. They have the option to join or not join a union.

Question 14

Kylie works for a company in which a union is recognized as the bargaining agent for the workers who perform her type of job. However, under the arrangements at her company, Kylie is not required to join the union, nor is she required to pay any fees or dues to the union. Kylie works under an agency shop agreement.

Accepted Answer

Under an agency shop agreement, workers cannot be required to join a union, but those workers who do not join must pay a union fee. The type of arrangement described in this question appears to be an open shop.

Question 15

In an agency shop agreement, workers who do not belong to the union must pay a union fee or pay regular union dues.

Accepted Answer

In an agency shop agreement, even non-union workers are required to pay a union fee or regular union dues to cover the cost of collective bargaining and other union services.

Question 16

A grievance is a charge by managers that the union is not abiding by the terms of the negotiated labor-management agreement.

Accepted Answer

A grievance is a charge by the union that the employer is not abiding by the terms of the negotiated labor-management agreement.

Question 17

The Taft-Hartley Act made the union shop agreement illegal in all states.

Accepted Answer

The Taft-Hartley Act did make the union shop agreement illegal in right-to-work states, but it did not make it illegal in all states. States that were not right-to-work could still allow for union shop agreements.

Question 18

The sources of many grievances include overtime rules, promotions, layoffs, and job assignments.

Accepted Answer

Overtime rules, promotions, layoffs, and job assignments are all common areas where employees may feel grievances towards their employer or workplace.

Question 19

Arkansas has passed a right-to-work law, which means that union shops are illegal in the state.

Accepted Answer

The Taft-Hartley Act recognized the legality of a union shop, but allowed individual states to declare them illegal through the passage of right-to-work laws.

Question 20

Robert works for a company under an open shop agreement. Under this type of arrangement, Robert must join the union at his company within 90 days or he will lose his job.

Accepted Answer

Under an open shop arrangement, workers aren't required to join a union to keep their jobs.

Quiz 12: Dealing With Employeemanagement Issues