EC-915: Get United!

Why are unions a powerful force in business?

• They organize workers into a single bargaining unit and increase their bargaining power.

• They encourage non-striking employees to work in place of striking employees.

• They enable management to close businesses temporarily during labor conflicts.

• They increase the number of concessions that employees must make in negotiations.

The degree of unionization in the United States varies based on a business’s

• type of industry and geographical location.

• type of industry and use of pressure strategies.

• geographical location and use of pressure strategies.

• geographical location and level of union organization.

The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters is an example of a(n)

• professional union.

• craft/trade union.

• union federation.

• industrial union.

A union worker who is just beginning in the occupation is referred to as a(n)

• assistant.

• journeyman.

• master.

• apprentice.

Though employees who work for auto companies hold a variety of different jobs, they may all belong to the same union—the United Auto Workers. This is an example of a(n) __________ union.

• professional
• craft
• trade
• industrial

Actors and athletes belong to what type of union?

• Industrial unions

• Trade unions

• Craft unions

• Professional unions

Union members join up at what level of a union?

• International

• Local

• Federation

• National

What is the primary responsibility of a national union?

• To encourage picketing and boycotting at the local level

• To assist in contract negotiations for all its local unions

• To elect local leaders who are involved in contract negotiations

• To provide financial support for political candidates who favor labor

Which of the following statements regarding federations is true?

• A union federation consists of several national/international unions of different kinds.

• Only one union federation, the AFL-CIO, exists in the United States.

• Local union members pay dues directly to their union federation.

• Only industrial unions and professional unions can join a federation.

Unions that do not belong to a federation are known as __________ unions.

• independent
• international

• local

• industrial