Chapter 16, Labor Relations

Question 1

Discuss the key elements of Canada’s labor laws

Answer 1

Purposes:
- protect the rights of employees to join the union
- provide a common set of rules for fair negotiations
- protect the public interest by preventing the impact of labour disputes
- encourage collective representation

Characteristics:
- union certification procedures
- minimal one-year collective agreements
- procedures preceding legal strike
- no strikes
- prohibition of unfair labor practices
- establishment of labor relations board

Question 2

Describe the different types of union

Answer 2

Types of workers:
- Craft (e.g. carpenter, nurse, electrician, teacher or)
- Industrial (e.g. Auto workers or government employees)

Geographical Scope:
- International, national, local

Labor congress Affiliation
- CLC, CNTU, AFL-CIO

Question 3

Outline the 5 steps in the labor relations process

Answer 3

Step 1: Employees decide to seek collective representation
Step 2: The union organizing campaign begins
Step 3: If there is sufficient support, the union receives official recognition
Step 4: the union and management negotiate to arrive at a mutually satisfactory collective agreement
Step 5: Day-to-day contract administration begins

Question 4

Describe the 5 steps in a union organizing campaign

Answer 4

The union organizing process involves five steps, which typically include
(1) employee and union contact,
(2) an initial organizational meeting,
(3) the formation of an in-house organizing committee,
(4) an organizing campaign, and
(5) the outcome—certification, recognition, or rejection.

Question 5

Describe the steps in the collective bargaining process

Answer 5

The three stages of collective bargaining:
- the process is preparation for negotiations,
- face-to-face negotiations, and
- obtaining approval for the proposed contract.

Question 6

Describe union security provisions

Answer 6

Closed Shop: Must be a union member to get hired (construction hiring halls)

Union Shop: Can hire who you want but they must become members of the union and pay dues.

Rand Formula: Need not be a member But must pay dues to the union

Open Shop (uncommon): Hire who you want, they don’t have to join the union or pay dues.

Question 7

Explain the contract administration process

Answer 7

Once you have a contract administration if the union and management disagree as to how a section should be applied:
Major sources of disagreement include:
- Seniority: length of service in the bargaining unit
- Discipline: Different interpretations of cause, must be handled following the collective agreement, ensure carefully documented evidence.