Question 1

The carpenters' national union sent representatives to the Brown Company in an attempt to develop widespread employee interest in having a union. In doing so, the union began a(n)

Accepted Answer

The mention of "developing widespread employee interest" and "attempt to have a union" suggests this is an organizing campaign, where a union seeks to gain representation and support from employees. The other choices (formal election, campaign fundraiser, authorization drive, NLRB ratification) may be steps involved in unionizing, but they do not fit the context of the given sentence.

Question 2

The group of employees a union is to represent is known as the

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the group of employees represented by a union is bargaining unit. Therefore, the best choice is D. Choices A, B, C, and E are not technically incorrect, but they do not specifically refer to the group of employees represented by a union.

Question 3

The process of negotiating a labor contract with management is known as

Accepted Answer

The process of negotiating a labor contract with management is known as collective bargaining, which is the formal process of negotiation between an employer and a group of employees aimed at reaching agreements to regulate working conditions.

Question 4

If some workers at a General Electric refrigeration factory wanted a union, the outcome of the election to decide whether or not to have a union would be determined by

Accepted Answer

The outcome of the election would be determined by a simple majority of eligible employees who choose to vote. This is the standard process for union elections in the United States, as established by the National Labor Relations Act. The other options listed (B, C, D, and E) are not accurate, as they do not reflect the legal requirements for union elections.

Question 5

The proper sequence in forming a union includes

Accepted Answer

The proper sequence in forming a union includes organizing campaign to build support and identify potential members, collecting authorization cards to show support for union representation, and holding a formal election through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to determine whether the union will be recognized as the employees' representative. Campaign fundraisers and NLRB ratification are not part of the initial sequence in forming a union.

Question 6

During an organizing campaign at a large city hospital, maintenance workers were asked by union representatives to quickly sign authorization cards while on duty. The National Labor Relations Board would say that this was

Accepted Answer

The National Labor Relations Board would consider this practice of asking employees to quickly sign authorization cards while on duty to be illegal because it could lead to coercion or pressure on employees to sign without fully understanding what they are signing. The NLRB requires that authorization cards be signed voluntarily and without any coercion or pressure from either management or union representatives.

Question 7

A(n) ____ involves the right of a particular union to organize particular workers.

Accepted Answer

Jurisdiction refers to the right of a particular union to represent and negotiate for a specific group of workers, based on the industry, craft, or location. It is determined by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and is important in avoiding conflicts between unions competing for the same group of workers.

Question 8

A labor contract is negotiated through the process known as

Accepted Answer

A labor contract is negotiated through the process of collective bargaining, where representatives of the employees and the employer engage in a give-and-take process to reach an agreement on working conditions, wages, and benefits. Collective thinking is not a commonly used term in labor relations and is not directly related to the negotiation process. Striking is a tactic used by employees when negotiations break down, and arbitration is a dispute resolution process that may be used if collective bargaining fails.

Question 9

Although Keith was getting a college degree, he planned to pursue the same occupation as his father after graduation. As a shop steward, his father made numerous contributions to other workers' situations in a Detroit plant. Now his father is a leader in a national union. Keith wants to follow the same career path. Therefore, he already has decided to join a union when he finds employment. Keith's reason for joining a union is to

Accepted Answer

Keith's motivation to join a union is influenced by his desire to continue his family's legacy, specifically following in his father's footsteps who has been a significant figure in union activities. This choice reflects a personal and familial connection to union support rather than other motivations like job security or combating alienation.

Question 10

Before a union can be formed at a particular firm,

Accepted Answer

A union can be formed at a particular firm when some employees of the firm show interest in union representation. These employees would then work towards organizing and convincing their coworkers to join the union. There is no requirement for permission from the company's management or the federal government. A strike may be a tactic used by the union after it has been formed, but it is not a requirement for forming a union. Additionally, while employee dissatisfaction with management may be a driving force behind unionization efforts, it is not a formal requirement for forming a union.

Question 11

Union organizers at the Maytag plant have just been informed that management has rejected their request to be recognized as the bargaining representative for plant employees. Which of the following will occur next?

Accepted Answer

When management rejects the request for union recognition, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will typically conduct a formal union representation election to allow employees to vote for or against the union.

Question 12

At some point during a unionizing campaign, employees are asked to sign ____ to indicate their preliminary support for the union.

Accepted Answer

The correct term for the document that employees sign to indicate their preliminary support for the union is an authorization card. This is a document that gives the union permission to represent the employee in collective bargaining negotiations with the employer. The other options, such as internal communication, flyers, ballots, and placards, are all important parts of a unionizing campaign but do not specifically refer to the document that employees sign to show their support.

Question 13

The NLRB is responsible for

Accepted Answer

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is responsible for conducting formal elections to determine whether or not employees want to form a union in their workplace. The NLRB also investigates and remedies unfair labor practices committed by employers or unions. While the NLRB has the power to issue rulings and make decisions that can impact the viability of unions, it is not responsible for passing legislation in favor of unions nor for ensuring that unions survive in the United States. The NLRB also does not investigate criminal behavior by labor leaders or securities fraud.

Question 14

In its negotiations with the Boeing Aircraft Company, the union might try to include in a new contract a requirement that all new employees must join the union after a specified probation period. The practice would involve

Accepted Answer

The practice described involves right-to-work laws, which are regulations that govern whether workers can be required to join a union as a condition of their employment. These laws vary by state in the United States and can affect the legality of union membership requirements in employment contracts.

Question 15

At a large factory such as the General Motors Saturn plant, the bargaining unit represented by the union would

Accepted Answer

The bargaining unit represented by the union at a large factory such as the General Motors Saturn plant would need to be defined. It could include all hourly employees, only salaried employees, or both hourly and salaried employees as long as these employees were within the union's jurisdiction. It would not include General Motors managers as they are typically considered management and not part of the bargaining unit.

Question 16

All of the following are steps in forming a union except

Accepted Answer

Conducting a show-of-hands vote of employees to see if there is interest in continuing the organization is not a typical step in forming a union. The usual steps include conducting an organizing campaign, signing authorization cards, organizers' requesting management to recognize the union, and the NLRB conducting a formal election to decide about unionization.

Question 17

The Somerset Teachers Association and the American Federation of Counselors and Teachers are competing to become the exclusive bargaining representative for professionals, including full- and part-time faculty, counselors, and librarians at Somerset Community College. Because the ____ is(are) unclear in this case, employees will decide on their representative.

Accepted Answer

The term "jurisdiction" refers to the extent of legal authority or control over a specific area or group of individuals. In this case, it is unclear which organization has the jurisdiction or authority to serve as the exclusive bargaining representative for professionals at Somerset Community College, so employees will be tasked with making that decision.

Question 18

All of the following are activities of the NLRB during the unionization process except

Accepted Answer

The NLRB does not arrange the parties for contract negotiations; its role is to oversee the election process and ensure fair practices.

Question 19

If the employees at the Commercial Marine Shipbuilding plant were to gain union representation, the union would select a committee to begin negotiating a labor contract with management. This process is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The process described in the scenario is collective bargaining, which is the formal negotiation process between management and a union to reach a labor contract that outlines terms and conditions of employment.

Question 20

During an upcoming organizing campaign, both Phillips Corporation and the Teamsters will take steps to communicate with employees about the advantages and disadvantages of having a union. Both plan to use a variety of tactics. However, if violations occur, the NLRB can do all of the following except

Accepted Answer

The answer of During an upcoming organizing campaign, both Phillips...

Quiz 11: Enhancing Union-Management Relations