Assignment:
Question 1 During the 1930s, what prompted the U.S. Congress to get involved in national labor relations and pass the National Labor Relations (Wagner) Act?
- Congress believed it would stimulate the economy and bring the country out of the Great Depression.
- Congress wanted to give more power to the judicial branch of the government in resolving labor issues.
- Congress perceived that without legal protection for employee rights, the higher degree of economic power held by employers would lead to labor unrest, which in turn would have a detrimental effect on economic growth and the public's interests.
- Congress wanted to formally support and uphold the use of yellow-dog contracts.
Question 2 Of ULP charges filed against employers in 2009, the two most common allegations were refusal to bargain in good faith and:
- illegal discharge or other discrimination against employees.
- endangering employee safety by failing to comply with safety regulations.
- discharging employees for union membership.
- failing to provide adequate health-care coverage for employees.
Question 3 The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has the responsibility to prevent employer and union Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs) and to:
- Promote unionization.
- Increase union membership.
- Secure benefits relating to economic conditions, such as inflation.
- Determine if employees desire representation by independent labor organizations.
Question 4 The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice requirements do not apply when:
- a plant closing will result in an employment loss for 50 or more workers at one site within a 30-day period.
- a plant closing will result in an employment loss for less than 25 workers at one site within a 60-day period.
- a mass layoff involves at least 33 percent of the workforce (minimum of 50 employees) within any 30-day period.
- a mass layoff involves at least 500 employees within any 30-day period.