Unions and Collective Bargaining: A Comprehensive Guide for Law Students

Question 1

Under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which of the following activities is NOT protected?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in political rallies

Answer

Soliciting support for a union

Answer

Distributing union literature

Answer

Striking to demand recognition of a union

Question 2

What is the primary objective of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA)?

Accepted Answer

To establish terms and conditions of employment for unionized workers

Answer

To resolve grievances between individual employees and their employers

Answer

To promote union membership and loyalty

Answer

To prevent strikes and lockouts

Question 3

Which of the following is a mandatory subject of bargaining under the NLRA?

Accepted Answer

Wages, benefits, and working conditions

Answer

Union security provisions

Answer

Duration of the contract

Answer

Employer policies on social media use

Question 4

What does the "duty to bargain in good faith" entail?

Accepted Answer

An obligation to meet with the union, exchange proposals, and make an effort to reach an agreement

Answer

An obligation to make concessions during negotiations

Answer

An obligation to agree to the union's contract demands

Answer

An obligation to avoid using tactics that hinder or delay negotiations

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of a certification election?

Accepted Answer

To determine whether a majority of employees want to be represented by a union

Answer

To resolve disputes over specific contract proposals

Answer

To punish employers for unfair labor practices

Answer

To enforce the terms of collective bargaining agreements

Question 6

What is the objective of the "right to work" laws?

Accepted Answer

To allow employees to opt out of paying union dues

Answer

To prohibit employees from joining unions

Answer

To prevent employers from being required to bargain with unions

Answer

To limit the scope of collective bargaining agreements

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a mandatory subject of collective bargaining?

Accepted Answer

The employer's investment strategies

Answer

Wages and benefits

Answer

Working hours

Answer

Job security

Question 8

What is the purpose of a "right-to-work" law?

Accepted Answer

To prohibit employers from requiring employees to join a union as a condition of employment

Answer

To require unions to represent all employees in a bargaining unit, regardless of their union membership status

Answer

To allow employers to fire employees for participating in union activities

Answer

To give unions the exclusive right to represent employees in collective bargaining

Question 9

Which action is NOT considered an unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act?

Accepted Answer

Paying employees a fair wage

Answer

Preventing employees from forming a union

Answer

Punishing employees for union activities

Answer

Refusing to negotiate with a union representing employees

Question 10

Which of these is LEAST likely to be a government role in labor relations?

Accepted Answer

Giving direct financial aid to unions

Answer

Setting minimum wage standards

Answer

Encouraging collective bargaining

Answer

Creating and enforcing labor laws

Question 11

Unions face significant challenges in the modern labor market. Which of the following is a major obstacle for unions in the 21st century?

Accepted Answer

Globalization of the economy

Accepted Answer

Technological advancements

Accepted Answer

Employer-led anti-union efforts

Answer

Increased worker job satisfaction

Question 12

Which of the following is an irrelevant factor in determining the outcome of a unionization election?

Accepted Answer

Phase of the moon

Answer

Employee support for the union

Answer

Employer's unfair labor practices

Answer

Presence of a rival union

Question 13

Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), a protected concerted activity includes:

Accepted Answer

Employees picketing to protest unsafe working conditions

Answer

Employees refusing to work overtime without additional compensation

Answer

Employees gossiping about their supervisor's personal life

Question 14

The primary legal obligation imposed on an employer under the NLRA is to:

Accepted Answer

Bargain in good faith with the union representing its employees

Answer

Hire only union members

Answer

Provide employees with a written employment contract

Question 15

Which of the following is considered a mandatory subject of bargaining under the NLRA?

Accepted Answer

Wages and benefits

Answer

Employee parking arrangements

Answer

Supervisor attire

Answer

Employee dress code

Question 16

The primary purpose of a grievance procedure in a collective bargaining agreement is to:

Accepted Answer

Resolve disputes between employees and the employer through a formal process

Answer

Punish employees for misconduct

Answer

Determine the terms and conditions of employment

Question 17

An unfair labor practice committed by an employer under the NLRA includes:

Accepted Answer

Refusing to bargain in good faith with a union

Answer

Hiring employees without considering their union affiliation

Answer

Providing employees with a safe and healthy workplace

Answer

Paying employees a fair wage

Question 18

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Administering and enforcing the provisions of the NLRA

Answer

Resolving grievances between employees and employers

Answer

Representing employees in collective bargaining

Answer

Setting minimum wage rates for employees

Question 19

One of the main benefits of union representation for employees is:

Accepted Answer

Increased bargaining power in negotiating with employers

Answer

Lower wages and fewer benefits

Answer

Reduced job security

Answer

Guaranteed employment

Question 20

A closed shop agreement:

Accepted Answer

Requires employees to become members of the union as a condition of employment

Answer

Prohibits employers from hiring union members

Answer

Allows employees to choose whether or not to join the union

Question 21

A defining characteristic of a collective bargaining agreement is:

Accepted Answer

A legally binding contract between an employer and a union representing a bargaining unit of employees

Answer

An informal agreement between individual employees and their supervisor

Answer

A unilateral decision made by the employer

Question 22

The key distinction between a strike and a lockout is that:

Accepted Answer

A strike is initiated by employees, while a lockout is initiated by employers

Answer

A strike is a permanent work stoppage, while a lockout is a temporary work stoppage

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT considered a protected activity under the NLRA?

Accepted Answer

Refusing to work mandatory overtime

Answer

Organizing a union and soliciting support among coworkers

Answer

Distributing union literature during non-work hours and in non-work areas

Answer

Engaging in concerted activities to improve working conditions

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA)?

Accepted Answer

To establish legally binding terms and conditions of employment for a specific period

Answer

To resolve individual employee grievances

Answer

To prevent unfair labor practices

Answer

To promote workplace safety and health

Question 25

Which of the following is a key aspect of the duty to bargain in good faith under the NLRA?

Accepted Answer

Meeting at reasonable times to negotiate with an open mind and a sincere desire to reach agreement

Answer

Agreeing to all of the union's demands

Answer

Refusing to consider any of the union's proposals

Question 26

What is the primary objective of a strike?

Accepted Answer

To put economic pressure on an employer to obtain concessions during collective bargaining

Answer

To remove a union official from office

Answer

To protest unfair labor practices

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a prohibited subject of bargaining under the NLRA?

Accepted Answer

Hiring and firing decisions, except for union animus

Answer

Health insurance benefits

Answer

Wages

Answer

Hours of work

Question 28

What is the primary role of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)?

Accepted Answer

To administer and enforce the NLRA, including conducting union representation elections and investigating unfair labor practice charges

Answer

To negotiate CBAs on behalf of unions

Answer

To resolve unfair labor practice charges

Question 29

Which of the following can be a potential benefit of unionization for employees?

Accepted Answer

Increased wages and benefits

Answer

Reduced job security

Answer

Diminished control over work hours

Answer

Loss of individual autonomy

Question 30

What is the primary argument against compulsory unionism?

Accepted Answer

It infringes on the right to freedom of association

Answer

It increases employee turnover

Answer

It reduces productivity

Answer

It leads to lower wages

Question 31

Which of the following is considered an unfair labor practice committed by an employer under the NLRA?

Accepted Answer

Interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their protected rights

Answer

Bargaining in good faith

Answer

Entering into a CBA with a union

Answer

Providing employees with benefits

Question 32

What is the primary purpose of a grievance procedure in a CBA?

Accepted Answer

To provide a fair and impartial process for resolving disputes between employees and employers through negotiation and arbitration

Answer

To enforce the terms of the CBA

Answer

To prevent strikes

Question 33

Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which of the following is NOT considered protected concerted activity?

Accepted Answer

Filing for a promotion

Answer

Filing a grievance

Answer

Participating in a work stoppage

Question 34

What is the primary responsibility of a union, as outlined in the National Labor Relations Act?

Accepted Answer

Representing employees in collective bargaining

Answer

Enforcing collective bargaining agreements

Answer

Negotiating wages and benefits

Answer

Resolving grievances

Question 35

Which type of strike is considered legal under the National Labor Relations Act?

Accepted Answer

Economic strike

Answer

Political strike

Answer

Wildcat strike

Answer

Sympathy strike

Question 36

Which of the following is a common strategy employed by unions in collective bargaining?

Accepted Answer

Boycott

Answer

Declaratory judgment

Answer

Injunction

Answer

Subpoena

Question 37

What is the essence of the duty to bargain in good faith?

Accepted Answer

A legal obligation to engage in negotiations with the genuine intention of reaching an agreement

Answer

A requirement to accept all union demands

Answer

A moral obligation to participate in bargaining

Question 38

Which of the following actions is considered an unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act?

Accepted Answer

Interfering with the formation of a union

Answer

Paying employees fair wages

Answer

Providing a safe working environment

Answer

Negotiating in good faith

Question 39

What is the overarching objective of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA)?

Accepted Answer

Establishing the terms and conditions of employment

Answer

Representing employees in legal proceedings

Answer

Resolving grievances

Question 40

Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which of the following activities is NOT protected?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in acts of sabotage

Answer

Soliciting support for unionization

Answer

Distributing literature advocating for unionization

Answer

Participating in a lawful strike

Question 41

A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is:

Accepted Answer

A legally binding contract between an employer and a union

Answer

A set of guidelines that the employer may follow at their discretion

Answer

A document that only applies to union members

Answer

A non-binding agreement that outlines the expected terms of employment

Question 42

Which of the following is a characteristic of a closed shop agreement?

Accepted Answer

All employees must be members of the union

Answer

Non-union employees may be hired but must pay a fee to the union

Answer

Only newly hired employees must join the union

Question 43

The Norris-LaGuardia Act:

Accepted Answer

Limits the power of federal courts to issue injunctions in labor disputes

Answer

Guarantees the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively

Answer

Prohibits employers from engaging in certain unfair labor practices

Question 44

Which of the following is a potential benefit of collective bargaining for employees?

Accepted Answer

Increased wages

Answer

Lower employee morale

Answer

Reduced job security

Answer

Deteriorated working conditions

Question 45

Which of the following is an unfair labor practice for an employer under the NLRA?

Accepted Answer

Refusing to bargain in good faith with a certified union

Answer

Hiring part-time employees

Answer

Closing a facility in response to unionization

Answer

Requiring employees to work mandatory overtime

Question 46

What is a 'right-to-work' law?

Accepted Answer

It allows employees to opt out of paying union dues, even if they are covered by a union contract

Answer

It requires employers to recognize any union that represents a majority of employees

Answer

It prohibits employers from firing employees for non-union membership

Question 47

Which of the following activities is NOT protected under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in violence or threats of violence

Answer

Organizing a union

Answer

Striking

Answer

Negotiating a collective bargaining agreement

Question 48

What is the primary objective behind a collective bargaining agreement (CBA)?

Accepted Answer

Establishing the terms and conditions of employment for a defined group of employees

Answer

Safeguarding the interests of employers

Answer

Resolving individual employee grievances

Question 49

Which among the following constitutes a central element of the employer's duty to bargain in good faith?

Accepted Answer

Exchanging proposals along with counteroffers during negotiations

Answer

Unilaterally making changes to established working conditions

Answer

Agreeing to all demands put forth by the union

Answer

Consistently refusing to engage with union representatives

Question 50

What is the fundamental distinction between a closed shop and an agency shop arrangement?

Accepted Answer

In a closed shop, union membership is a prerequisite for employment, whereas in an agency shop, non-union employees must pay union dues as a condition of employment.

Answer

There is no distinction between the two

Question 51

What is the main function of a mediation process in labor relations?

Accepted Answer

Facilitating communication and constructive negotiations between union representatives and the employer

Answer

Investigating alleged unfair labor practices

Answer

Imposing binding settlements on the parties involved

Question 52

Which purpose is commonly pursued by unions?

Accepted Answer

Seeking improvements in wages and overall working conditions

Answer

Increasing unemployment rates

Answer

Promoting racial discrimination in the workplace

Answer

Undermining the rights of employers

Question 53

What is the defining difference between a strike and a lockout?

Accepted Answer

A strike involves a work stoppage initiated by employees, while a lockout involves a work stoppage initiated by the employer.

Answer

A strike is a refusal to work by union members, while a lockout is a refusal to work by non-union members.

Answer

There is no meaningful difference between the two

Question 54

Which category of employees is NOT protected under the NLRA?

Accepted Answer

Supervisors

Answer

Union members

Answer

Non-union employees

Answer

Agricultural workers

Question 55

What was the primary purpose of the Taft-Hartley Act?

Accepted Answer

Curtailing union power and ensuring a balance between employee and employer rights

Answer

Abolishing the National Labor Relations Board

Answer

Promoting unionization and collective bargaining practices

Question 56

What is the fundamental difference between a grievance and an unfair labor practice?

Accepted Answer

A grievance arises from disputes over the interpretation or application of a CBA, while an unfair labor practice involves violations of the NLRA by employers or unions.

Answer

There is no meaningful difference between the two