Labour Relations

Question 1

What is the structure of the labour movement

Answer 1

Management- government- union
Management represents owners
Union represents workers
Government is the body that sets the rules on how union and management can interact with each other through OLRA and CLC

Question 2

What is union power

Answer 2

Threat of strikes (at bad times) and ability to carry out one through strike funds

• strike
• boycott (stop customers from buying)
• picketing (march near entrance)
• corporate campaign (disrupt shareholder meetings)

Question 3

What is Management’s power

Answer 3

Ability to withstand a strike through stockpiling, subcontracting, skeleton staff (minimum # of people), strike insurance

• lockout
• mutual aid pact
• shift production location
• join employer association

Question 4

Explain Craft unions types, source of power, tactics, strike characteristics

Answer 4

Requires special skills and artistry
Source of power: can create monopoly over scarce resources/ skill set
Tactics: unions withdraw, jobs at other sites, informational pickets
Management has industry wide lockout
Strike characteristics: little violence, settled quickly

Question 5

Explain Industrial unions types, source of power, tactics, strike characteristics

Answer 5

Factory workers, many of them
Source of power- strength in numbers
Tactics: unions can control physical access through pickets
Management can withstand strike
Strike characteristics: potential violence, drag on

Question 6

What is the union certification process by OLRB

Answer 6

1) membership drive- get employees to sign and file when have more than 40
2) evidence reviewed by OLRB- #signed/# in bargaining unit
3) representation vote- within 5 days of application
- can’t influence someone

Question 7

Describe settlement conciliation

Answer 7

Voluntary, non binding, legalized a strike lockout on 17th days after report issued

Question 8

Describe settlement through meditation

Answer 8

Neutral 3rd party helps bridge gap, voluntary, non binding, no effect on legal timing but may help avert or end strike/ lockout

Question 9

Describe settlement through arbitration

Answer 9

Neutral 3rd party strikes a new deal, voluntary or compulsory

• essential service workers do this
• effectively ends strike or lockout

Question 10

What is the grievance procedure

Answer 10

If not living up to terms of agreement

1) statue of limitations- oral presentation
2) escalation to higher levels- written grievance
3) time limits- high lever meetings
4) arbitration