Chapter 6 - Unionized Workplace

Question 1

a group of employees who join together to bargain with their employer about terms and conditions of work.

Answer 1

union

Question 2

is an administrative agency established by statute.

Answer 2

Labour Relations Board

Question 3

The function of the Board is to

Answer 3

regulate the relationship between employers and employees.

Question 4

In Canada, the certification process (or formation of a unionized group) is governed at

Answer 4

the federal level by the Canada Labour Code Part I–Industrial Relations (the Code) and provincially/territorially by labour/industrial relations/trade union acts or codes.

Question 5

If the employees are currently certified and want to change to another trade union, an ____________

Answer 5

Application for Certification must be made to the appropriate Labour Relations Board

Question 6

To apply for certification, employees _______________

Answer 6

sign membership cards for the union and submit them to the Labour Relations Board with the Application for Certification form.

Question 7

TRUE OR FALSE: When an employer is notified that a trade union has made an Application for Certification, the employer cannot alter the rates of pay, the terms and conditions of employment or any other rights and privileges enjoyed by the employees from the date of the application until 30 days after the certification is granted or the application has been withdrawn

Answer 7

TRUE

Question 8

An employer cannot use ____________.

Answer 8

intimidation, coercion, threats, promises or undue influence to interfere with employees’ certification of a union

Question 9

Once the union certification process is complete, a collective agreement will be negotiated through a process called ______

Answer 9

collective bargaining.

Question 10

is a formal, legally binding document that details the terms and conditions of employment between the employer or a group of employers and their employees who are members of a union.

Answer 10

collective agreement

Question 11

The employer and the employees use the _______ to produce the initial collective agreement or renew an existing one.

Answer 11

negotiation process

Question 11

The terms and conditions of employment detailed in a collective agreement are governed by the Canada Labour Code Part I–Industrial Relations (the Code) and provincial/territorial labour/industrial relations acts or codes. They usually include clauses on items such as:

Answer 11

• recognition of the union
• definition of terms used in the agreement
• scope of the agreement, including its length and the employees covered
• management rights
• reporting for work
• working conditions
• rates of pay
• hours of work
• overtime provisions
• shift differentials
• vacation and statutory holiday pay
• notice requirements for lay-offs
• maternity, paternity, bereavement and other leaves of absence
• seniority, breaks in service, recall
• clothing
• benefits
• job postings
• safety and health issues
• probationary employees
• sanctions and terminations
• grievances
• arbitration
• stewards
• check-off or deduction of union dues
• information to the union
• notices to employees
• duration of the collective agreement

Question 12

The final ratification or approval of the agreement must be made by a majority vote of the ___________ and a majority vote of the __________________

Answer 12

of the organization’s board of directors / employees covered under the agreement.

Question 13

Proposals are typically grouped into ____, _________, and _________

Answer 13

“housekeeping”, “non-monetary” and “monetary” issues.

Question 14

It is considered “___” to add proposals after exchanging agendas.

Answer 14

bargaining in bad faith

Question 15

TRUE OR FALSE: Proposals that are accepted are documented in contract language and “signed off” by both parties as agreements are reached.

Answer 15

TRUE

Question 16

TRUE OR FALSE: The purpose of the negotiation process is to reach an agreement on the issues that will satisfy both management and the employees.

Answer 16

TRUE

Question 17

are attempts to resolve any outstanding issues in a manner that is agreeable to both parties.

Answer 17

Conciliation and mediation

Question 18

the specific terms and provisions of the agreement and is voted on by both the union and the organization.

Answer 18

A Memorandum of Agreement or Memorandum of Settlement documents

Question 19

Payroll will likely be involved in the administration of:

Answer 19

• hours worked
• overtime provisions, shift differentials
• vacation and statutory holiday pay
• allowances
• maternity, paternity, bereavement and other leaves of absence
• terminations
• notice requirements

Question 20

The ________ requires compulsory payment of union dues from all employees in the bargaining unit, whether or not they are union members, but does not require all employees to become union members.

Answer 20

“Rand Formula”

Question 21

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does allow for union dues to be treated as a before-tax deduction unless the amount:

Answer 21

o is for initiation fees
o is for special purposes, such as to fund a strike
o relates to a superannuation fund or plan, or a fund or plan for annuities, insurance or other benefits

Question 22

TRUE OR FALSE: The province of Québec does not allow union dues to be treated as a before-tax deduction.

Answer 22

TRUE

Question 23

TRUE OR FALSE: In most jurisdictions in Canada, employees may be exempt from becoming union members or paying union dues because of religious or human rights reasons.

Answer 23

TRUE