Construction Management Workforce Management & Labor Relations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in construction?
- A contract defining project milestones and deliverables
- A pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that sets labor terms for a specific construction project (Correct answer)
- An OSHA-mandated safety plan for large projects
- An agreement between subcontractors on material pricing
Correct answer: A pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that sets labor terms for a specific construction project
A PLA is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement between contractors and unions that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project.
Question 2: What is 'labor burden' in construction cost estimating?
- The number of workers required to complete a task
- The additional costs beyond base wages, such as taxes, insurance, and benefits, borne by the employer (Correct answer)
- The physical strain placed on workers by heavy tasks
- Union dues deducted from worker paychecks
Correct answer: The additional costs beyond base wages, such as taxes, insurance, and benefits, borne by the employer
Labor burden refers to the indirect costs an employer pays on top of base wages, including payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA), workers' compensation insurance, health benefits, and paid time off.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a manning schedule on a construction project?
- To assign safety officers to specific areas of the site
- To plan the number and type of workers needed on-site over the project duration (Correct answer)
- To document hours worked by each employee for payroll
- To schedule mandatory training sessions for the workforce
Correct answer: To plan the number and type of workers needed on-site over the project duration
A manning schedule is a planning tool that shows the projected workforce by trade over the life of a project, helping managers anticipate labor needs and control costs.
Question 4: Under a 'right-to-work' law, what is prohibited?
- Hiring undocumented workers on construction sites
- Requiring union membership or payment of union dues as a condition of employment (Correct answer)
- Paying workers less than the prevailing wage
- Discriminating against workers based on their trade certification
Correct answer: Requiring union membership or payment of union dues as a condition of employment
Right-to-work laws prohibit agreements that make union membership or financial contributions to a union a requirement for getting or keeping a job.
Question 5: What is the role of a union steward on a construction job site?
- To act as the site safety inspector for OSHA compliance
- To serve as the on-site representative of the union, handling grievances and ensuring CBA compliance (Correct answer)
- To manage subcontractor invoices and payment schedules
- To supervise apprentices and journeymen on technical tasks
Correct answer: To serve as the on-site representative of the union, handling grievances and ensuring CBA compliance
A union steward is a fellow worker elected to represent the union members on the job site, ensuring the collective bargaining agreement is followed and handling employee grievances.
Question 6: What does a labor productivity analysis help a construction manager determine?
- The minimum number of safety personnel required by OSHA
- Whether the actual work output per labor-hour matches the planned output (Correct answer)
- The total payroll taxes owed for the pay period
- Which subcontractors should receive performance bonuses
Correct answer: Whether the actual work output per labor-hour matches the planned output
Labor productivity analysis compares actual work put in place per labor-hour against the budgeted rate, identifying inefficiencies and allowing managers to take corrective action.
Question 7: Which act prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on union activity or organizing efforts?
- Davis-Bacon Act
- National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) (Correct answer)
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act)
Correct answer: National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
The NLRA (also known as the Wagner Act) protects employees' rights to organize, join unions, and engage in collective bargaining free from employer interference or discrimination.
Construction Management Workforce Management & Labor Relations 2
What is a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in construction?