Image: Kevork Djansezian/Staff
About This Quiz
The relationship between management and labor in America has always been contentious -- and sometimes deadly. Test your knowledge of the nation's labor laws and the collective bargaining process.
What does the acronym NLRA stand for?
National Libertarian Rifle Association
National Labor Relations Act
The National Labor Relations Act legally established the rights and obligation of workers and management to bargain for fair wages and working conditions.
New Labor Rights Association
Advertisement
When did Congress pass the National Labor Relations Act?
1866
1901
1935
The NLRA was part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal legislation during the Great Depression.
Advertisement
The NLRA also established which of the following Federal agencies?
The Department of Labor
The Union Rights Council
The National Labor Relations Board
The responsibility of the board, which is appointed by the president, is to enforce the NLRA and investigate accusations of unfair labor practices.
Advertisement
In 1950, there were 424 strikes involving 1,000 people or more in America. How many were there in 2009?
5
The frequency of strikes has dwindled since 1981, when President Reagan intervened in the air traffic controllers strike. In 2009 there were just 5.
128
1187
Advertisement
The NLRA estalbished the collective bargaining rights of private workers. When were those rights extended to federal employees?
1946
1962
President Kennedy extended collective bargaining rights to federal employees through an executive order.
1993
Advertisement
Which of the following workers does NOT have the right to bargain collectively under the NLRA?
Assembly line worker
Factory accountant
Factory supervisor
Anyone with the power to hire or fire other employees is considered management and cannot bargain collectively.
Advertisement
True or false: A worker must join a union to bargain collectively with management.
TRUE
FALSE
Any group of workers with an elected representative has the right to bargain collectively.
Advertisement
True or false: The NLRA requires the two sides of a labor dispute to resolve the issue through collective bargaining.
TRUE
FALSE
The two sides are only required to bargain "in good faith." Unresolved disputes are often send to further arbitration or the courts.
Advertisement
Which of the following is NOT an example of bargaining "in good faith?"
Sending representatives with real decision-making power
Meeting with reasonable frequency
Striking before a collective bargaining agreement expires
A strike during an active contract is only legal if management is being accused of unfair labor practices.
Advertisement
Who are the three parties that must attend a collective bargaining negotiation?
Group of workers, owners and their lawyers
Workers representative, owners' representative and an arbitrator
Representatives of the workers or their union negotiate with a company representative in the presence of a private or government arbitrator.
Union president, president of company and the press
Advertisement
What is the standard length of a collective bargaining agreement?
3 years
Collective bargaining agreements almost always have an expiration date of three years, after which they can be extended or renegotiated.
5 years
10 years
Advertisement
If either the union or management want to modify a collective bargaining agreement when it expires, who must they notify?
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
Within 60 days of expiration, either party must file a notice with the FMCS so an arbitrator can initiate the negotiation process.
National Labor Relations Board
Department of Labor
Advertisement
Which of the following is an example of an unfair labor practice under the NLRA?
Paying workers less than they deserve
Outsourcing jobs overseas
Demoting a worker because she is passing around information about unionizing the workforce
It is illegal to fire, demote or other intimidate a worker for joining a union.
Advertisement
Does a single collective bargaining agreement cover all unionized workers at a company?
Yes, a single agreement covers all union workers
No, each specific union needs its own collective bargaining agreement with management
If a company employs workers from several different unions, each one needs to have its own collective bargaining agreement.
No, there are separate agreements for each type of employee
Advertisement
True or false: A collective bargaining agreement can make it illegal for workers to strike during the life of the contract.
TRUE
A "no-strike/lockout" clause is common in collective bargaining agreements.
FALSE
Advertisement
According to the NLRA, if workers vote by a majority to join a union, is management required to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with union representatives?
Yes, as long as the union election was legally held by the NLRB
Union elections are run by the NLRB. If a majority of workers choose to join a union, management must sit down at the bargaining table.
No, unless the union proves that management has engaged in unfair labor practices
No, as long as previous labor contracts haven't expired.
Advertisement
What is the term for a business that employs both union and non-union workers?
Closed shop
Open shop
An open shop does not require workers (even those holding the same job title) to join a union.
Mixed shop
Advertisement
Do the terms of employment in a collective bargaining agreement also cover non-union workers in an open shop?
Yes
Yes, which is why even non-union workers are often required to pay a "service fee" to the union in lieu of dues.
No
Advertisement
Which of the following is NOT considered a mandatory subject that must be covered in a collective bargaining agreement?
Seniority and promotion
Procedure for filling supervisory positions
Only the hiring and promotion of workers outside of management ranks is considered a mandatory a subject.
Grievance procedure
Advertisement
Which professional sport holds the title for the longest work stoppage in American sports history?
Major League Baseball
National Basketball Association
National Hockey League
Failure to sign a collective bargaining agreement in 2004 led to a lockout by players in the National Hockey League that lasted 310 days, completely canceling the season.
Advertisement
You Got:
/20
Kevork Djansezian/Staff
