HR management chapitre 3

Question 1

What is a union?

Answer 1

• It is a legally constituted organization that represents employees’ interests.
• Employees’ participation in administering the union through electing union officials and supporting it financially through union dues.
• The right to form and participate in unions is protected by law.

Question 2

What are the 3 factors at the source of unionization?

Answer 2

• Insecurity
• Perceived injustice
• Feeling of powerlessness

Question 3

Describe the insecurity in an organization.

Answer 3

• Too much change
• Schedule changes
• Changes in policies
• Unilateral management decisions

Question 4

Describe the perceived injustice in an organization.

Answer 4

• Lack of equity
• Salary injustice
• Arbitrary

Question 5

Describe the feeling of powerlessness in an organization.

Answer 5

• Standards imposed by management
• Health and security

Question 6

What are the 3 main stages to get something done through unions?

Answer 6

1) The creation of a bargaining unit.
2) Negotiation of a collective agreement.
3) Application of the collective agreement.

Question 7

How is the bargaining unit created?

Answer 7

• You need a membership of at least 2$
• The working conditions are frozen for the negotiations.
• The process of the collective agreement starts.

Question 8

Explain how to negotiation of a collective agreement works.

Answer 8

• Defining what you want in the collective agreement.
• the negotiation period is 90 days.
• If there is no settlement after 90 days, it will be a work stoppage with pressure tactics from the employees.

Question 9

Give examples of pressure tactics.

Answer 9

• Strike
• Lockout
• Picketing
• Injunction
• Anti-scab
• Slowdown, work-to-rule, and solidarity strikes

Question 10

As a manager, what do you need to expect in the negotiation of a collective agreement?

Answer 10

• Prepare for a work stoppage.
• Participate in the communication plan provided by HRD.
• Advise clients.
• Plan the necessary staff to continue activities, if safe.
• Plan the return to work.

Question 11

What are the characteristics of a collective agreement?

Answer 11

• The agreement must be in writing.
• The authorization for the union to sign the agreement by secret ballot.
• The official version must be written in French.
• Provisions dealing with working conditions must not be contrary to public order or prohibited by law.
• The term of a first collective agreement must be no less than one year and no more than 3 years. The term of subsequent agreements must be no less than 1 year.
• 2 copies must be filed with the Minister of Labour within 60 days of its signature.

Question 12

Name the 3 steps of the application of a collective agreement.

Answer 12

1) First step: employee discusses this with the manager.
2) Second step: submit the grievance in writing to the director of the establishment, if not settled then.
3) Third step: may be submitted to arbitration.

Question 13

Is it possible for self-employed workers to be unionized?

Answer 13

No, they work for clients and not for an employer.

Question 14

Is it possible for highly skilled workers to be unionized?

Answer 14

No, because they don’t really share the same opinion as the majority since their condition is preferable. They prefer to negotiate directly with the employer.

Question 15

What is collective bargaining?

Answer 15

It is a process of free discussion between an employer and a union for the purpose of reaching a collective agreement relative to working conditions.