Question 1

Workers face a number of dilemmas when deciding whether to join a union and, if already a member, whether to become an activist. Describe the "free rider" problem and the "exit vs. voice" methods that workers can use to express discontent with unsatisfactory working conditions and employment contracts.

Accepted Answer

The "free rider" problem refers to the situation where workers benefit from the collective bargaining and representation efforts of a union without actually joining or financially supporting the union. This can create a dilemma for workers who may feel that they can benefit from the union's work without having to contribute to its efforts, leading to a lack of incentive for them to join or support the union.

On the other hand, the "exit vs. voice" methods refer to the choices that workers have when expressing discontent with unsatisfactory working conditions and employment contracts. The "exit" method involves workers leaving their current job in search of better opportunities elsewhere, while the "voice" method involves workers using their collective bargaining power through a union to negotiate for better working conditions and contracts.

Workers facing these dilemmas must weigh the potential benefits of joining a union and becoming an activist, such as improved working conditions and better job security, against the potential costs, such as union dues and the risk of retaliation from employers. Ultimately, the decision to join a union and become an activist is a personal one that requires careful consideration of the potential risks and rewards.

Question 2

Which of the following is the best description of a "wildcat strike?

Accepted Answer

A)   A strike that turns violent.
B)   An unauthorized strike during the term of a collective agreement.
C)   A strike from which employees gain nothing.
D)   A strike called by union leaders despite strong opposition from union members. B

Question 3

In which of the following types of industries would Kerr and Siegel predict high strike rates, according to their "isolation hypothesis?"

Accepted Answer

A)   Industries where social isolation keeps workers uninformed about the larger world.
B)   Industries where social isolation and limited occupational hierarchies lead to cohesive work groups.
C)   Industries where workers are isolated from social values encouraging consensus instead of conflict.
D)   Industries that are isolated from labour laws and arbitration procedures designed to avoid conflict. B

Question 4

Which of the following statements best explains why Canada's strike record was higher than that of many western industrialized countries in the last few decades of the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

A)   Canadian workers have typically been more politically radical.
B)   Canadian employers have been much more aggressive in fighting unions.
C)   Union negotiations in Canada are much more fragmented and decentralized.
D)   Canadian labour legislation made it much easier for workers to go on strike.

Question 5

In a few sentences, explain the significance of the Rand Formula for Canada's system of industrial relations.

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

How have Canadian unions changed over the past century? In your opinion, what are some of the key challenges they face today?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Feminist scholars have contributed which of the following insights about Canadian unions?

Accepted Answer

A)   Women began to become active unionists once they started working in the same occupations as men.
B)   Despite growing female membership in unions, women have still never held key leadership positions.
C)   While company managers have often exhibited patriarchal attitudes, male union members have generally not done so.
D)   There is a long history of collective action in predominantly female occupations.

Question 8

Which of the following statements describes the "Rand Formula"?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is used to determine what percentage of an employee's earnings can be deducted for union membership dues.
B)   It identifies the public sectors in which workers are not allowed to strike because of the percentage of citizens who might be negatively affected.
C)   It requires employers to deduct union dues from all employees in a workplace that is unionized, whether or not they belong to the union.
D)   It is used to determine whether or not an international union can be forced to allow Canadian workers to set up their own union.

Question 9

Leo Panitch and Donald Swartz use the phrase permanent exceptionalism to describe which of the following labour relations trends in Canada?

Accepted Answer

A)   The shift from craft unions to industrial unions.
B)   The Canadianization of formerly international unions.
C)   Attempts to introduce "right-to-work" laws in Canada.
D)   Repeated government intervention in collective bargaining over the past few decades.

Question 10

Despite relatively low levels of union density in western European countries like Germany and France, unions have a strong impact on wage settlements for a majority of workers. Which of the following statements best explains this situation?

Accepted Answer

A)   Highly centralized collective bargaining in which national unions negotiate with employer federations.
B)   Decentralized bargaining, whereby local unions negotiate with local employers.
C)   European Union legislation that requires workers in all EU countries to receive similar wage settlements.
D)   Union density is measured differently in these two countries.

Question 11

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between "union density" and "collective bargaining coverage?"

Accepted Answer

A)   Because it includes agricultural workers, union density is usually a bit higher than collective bargaining coverage.
B)   Union density describes the strength of unions in the private sector; collective bargaining coverage means the same thing in the public sector.
C)   Collective bargaining coverage is usually a bit higher since some nonunion members still receive the wages and benefits negotiated by unions.
D)   Collective bargaining coverage is the United States' term for what we refer to as union density in Canada.

Question 12

Define and briefly discuss the concepts of "business unionism" and "social unionism."

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Which of the following would be evidence in support of Robert Michels's "iron law of oligarchy?"

Accepted Answer

A)   Union leaders manipulating union activities in order to stay in power.
B)   Strong worker groups opposing the decisions of union leaders.
C)   High levels of attendance by members at union meetings.
D)   Corporate managers influencing how union members vote during union elections.

Question 14

A large farm equipment manufacturing company sets up an employee association that provides workers with opportunities to consult on job redesign and the introduction of new production technologies. A large industrial union that has been trying to organize this factory is frustrated by this tactic. Which of the following is the best explanation of why the union might be frustrated?

Accepted Answer

A)   Once an employee association exists in a workplace, unions cannot try to sign up the workers.
B)   Workers are now less likely to see the need for a union in their workplace, and will be less likely to join.
C)   Employee association members will not have to pay union dues, even if a union is formed.
D)   Even if a union is formed, strikes will not be allowed because of the existence of the employee association.

Question 15

Unionization in Canada has been characterized by which of the following trends?

Accepted Answer

A)   Overall, union membership has declined somewhat since the 1980s.
B)   Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest rate of unionization.
C)   Women are still less likely to be union members than men.
D)   The rate of unionization is lower in the public sector than in the private sector.

Question 16

"Unionism is essentially a 20th century phenomenon, and will likely not be a significant factor in the 21st century." Critically discuss this statement with reference to current and past unionization trends in Canada and elsewhere.

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

Which of the following scenarios would be an example of what C. Wright Mills had in mind when he said that unions were "managers of discontent?"

Accepted Answer

A)   Union organizers signing up members in a nonunionized workplace.
B)   Union leaders trying to convince their members that a new wage offer received from their employer was not good enough.
C)   Union leaders trying to convince their members to not go on strike because their collective agreement had not yet expired.
D)   Leaders of one union trying to encourage members of another union to leave that union and join theirs.

Question 18

Which of the following best distinguishes craft unions from industrial unions?

Accepted Answer

A)   Craft unions exist only in Quebec; industrial unions are active in all parts of Canada.
B)   Craft unions represent specific occupations; industrial unions try to organize all the workers in a particular industry
C)   Craft unions are mainly found in developing countries; industrial unions are most common in industrialized economies.
D)   Craft unions are gaining members; industrial unions are declining in size.

Question 19

Which of the following is a unique feature of the labour movement in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

A)   Many contemporary unions were originally organized by the Roman Catholic Church.
B)   A much lower degree of centralized bargaining than elsewhere in Canada.
C)   Despite a high level of nationalism in Quebec, unions in the province have avoided getting involved in debates about separatism and sovereignty.
D)   The willingness of unions to accept provincial legislation allowing strike-breaking by employers.

Question 20

C. Wright Mills once described unions in North America as "managers of discontent." In a few sentences, explain what he meant by this term.

Accepted Answer

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Exam 11: Unions and Industrial Relations