3rd Edition Chapter 10 Organized Labor and the Fire Officer

Question 1

A negotiated legal agreement between the labor organization and the local jurisdiction?

Answer 1

Labor Contract

Question 2

The range, scope, and tasks of a fire officer’s supervisory activities are defined by three primary components?

Answer 2

1. The local labor contract
2. The municipality’s personnel regulations
3. The fire department’s rules, regulations, and procedures

Question 3

A less powerful form of written agreement that is often used in jurisdictions where government employees do not have formal collective bargaining right?

Answer 3

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Question 4

A method whereby representatives of employees (unions) and employers determine the conditions of employment through direct negotiations?

Answer 4

Collective Bargaining

Question 5

Mutual discussion and arrangement of the terms of an agreement?

Answer 5

Negotiations

Question 6

A union member appointed or elected to be the first line of labor representation at the workplace?

Answer 6

Shop Steward

Question 7

What were the three principal objectives of the IAFF when it was established in February 28, 1918?

Answer 7

1. Obtain pay raises
2. Establish two platoon or 12-hour workday schedule
3. Ensure that appointments and promotions were based on individual merit, not political affiliation

Question 8

What is the basis for a strong, positive, and effective supervisor/employee relationship?

Answer 8

Open, honest, and constant communications between the fire officer and the fire fighter

Question 9

What are key recommendations that form the foundation of any strong supervisor/employee relationship between a fire officer and fire fighter?

Answer 9

1. Schedule regular one-on-one meetings between you as the fire officer and each member of your company
2. Schedule regular meetings with the company as a whole
3. If a disagreement arises, work together to articulate the concern and to develop possible solution
4. If the personal and professional relationship between you and a fire fighter is rocky from the beginning and both of you have decided to work to improve it, start by listing the areas in which you can succeed together

Question 10

The intervention of a neutral third party in an industrial dispute?

Answer 10

Mediation

Question 11

A dispute, claim, or complaint that any employee or group of employees may have about the interpretation, application, and/or alleged violation of some provision of the labor agreement or personnel regulations?

Answer 11

Grievance

Question 12

A formal structured process that is employed within an organization to resolve a grievance?

Answer 12

Grievance Procedure

Question 13

The grievant presents his or her complaint verbally to a supervisor, shortly after the occurrence of the action that gave rise to the grievance. In some organizations, this non documented verbal notification is called?

Answer 13

Informal Grievance or Step Zero

Question 14

What are the 3 pieces of information a grievant must provide when filing a grievance?

Answer 14

1. The article and section of the labor agreement or personnel regulation alleged to have been violated
2. A full statement of the grievance, giving facts, dates, and time of events, as well as specific violations
3. A statement of the desired remedy or adjustment