Sociology 325
Week 13 Review Questions
Due on Thursday April 11, 2013
This week’s reading include part of Chapter 4 from a book by Gary Chaison called
Unions in America, two short sheets about unions dues, a short reading on collective
bargaining, two short articles about contract negotiations between SEIU and employers,
and a contract. DO NOT PRINT OUT THE CONTRACT. It’s huge and you can answer
the questions viewing it on your computer and using either the table of contents or the
search function. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ THE WHOLE CONTRACT. I have
also included a handout on Collective Bargaining. There are no questions on this reading,
but you should read it. It will help you understood the material I review in class next
week. As always, if you quote the text in your answer, it should look like this: Eimer
begins his argument by stating “I’m surprised that many undergraduates do not do their
readings. They’re missing out on a big part of the learning process”(Eimer 2006:11).
Eimer is the author, 2006 is the publication year, and 11 is the page the quote appeared
on. THERE ARE 8 questions.
Chaison, page 104-118
1. Once a union is formed, it engages in collective bargaining, but there are different
types of bargaining. Briefly explain what distributive bargaining is and provide an
example.
2. Once a union is formed, it engages in collective bargaining, but there are different
types of bargaining. Briefly explain what integrative bargaing is and provide an example.
3. Chaison notes that collective bargaining has two faces: “it is first about getting
agreement before going to the bargaining table and then getting agreement at the table.”
Please explain what he means by the first part of that sentence: “it is first about getting
agreement before going to the bargaining table.” Be sure to use the concept of term
“intraorganizational” in your answer, and to provide an example to illustrate your
explanation.
4. Briefly explain what concessionary bargaining. Using the example of Tyson Chicken
and the United Food and Commercial to provide at least two examples of concessions
that were made by the union.
5. In October 2003 there was a conflict between three grocery chains and the United Food
and Commercial Workers. Briefly explain how Walmart caused this conflict, and then
briefly discuss the outcome of the strike.
NYT Articles on SEIU
6. Please identify one of the subjects of collective bargaining that SEIU and the Realty
Advisory Board were negotiating over. Briefly describe the two positions on the subject.
7. In some ways collective bargaining is like a game of poker. Do you think SEIU’s
threat to strike strengthened its hand, or weakened it? Why?
SEIU Contract: You can use the search function to search key words as you answer
the question
8. Henry’s Dad died on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday Henry took off so he could
attend the wake and funeral. His boss says he will not get paid for those days. Henry
thinks he is entitled to pay and get’s his contract out. What does the contract say about
Bereavment? Is Henry entitled to pay for the days he took off?
9. Read Article 2, part 2.1. Is this workplace an open shop or a union shop? Please
explain the reasoning behind your answer.