Beth Jackson is HR manager at Neil Industries, a medium-sized manufacturer of ceramic pots in Cody, Wyoming

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Beth Jackson is HR manager at Neil Industries, a medium-sized manufacturer of ceramic pots in Cody, Wyoming. Neil has a longstanding relationship with the United Potters (UP) union, which represents all production and maintenance employees at the company's one facility. The company has faced increased competition over the past several years, from both domestic and foreign competitors. This has eroded margins severely, dramatically impacting financial results. After reading a Wall Street Journal article on the use of more collaborative working relationships in union plants, Beth's boss, the plant manager, assigns her to draw up plans for teamwork initiatives that could be put in place at Neil. The article mentioned that greater participation by workers in decision making, the formation of collaborative labor-management teams, and greater flexibility in worker skills could be beneficial to organizations that are able to use them.

1.What is probably the most important reason that the UP would oppose these plans?

Multiple Choice

They feel the changes would make the plant less competitive.

The proposals would make changes to the compensation structure.

They feel that management is trying to reduce pay.

The idea of incentive pay strikes them as unfair.

The proposals seek to change workplace relations and the role that the union plays.

2.Which is an unfair labor practice Beth should avoid?

Multiple Choice

taking an active part in organizing a union or committee to represent employees

setting up an incentive pay plan

sharing additional information with employees

increasing employee involvement in decision making

making a labor-management problem-solving team

3.If Beth decided to implement a transformational approach to labor relations, she might do which of these?

Multiple Choice

allow informal worker autonomous activity

insist on formal grievance resolution procedures

seldom give feedback on cost, quality, and schedule to employees

increase the level of conflict

forbid worker-initiated changes to work design

4.In order to stay legal under the National Labor Relations Act, Beth needs to make sure the team only communicates on acceptable issues, including which of the following?

Multiple Choice

issues of job rotation

wages or working conditions

issues affecting nonteam employees

dealing with supervisors

management domination of the team and its operations

5.The benefits to the company of adopting this approach may include all of the following except

Multiple Choice

higher productivity.

decertifying the union.

more shop-floor cooperation.

lower costs.

better quality.