Civil Service Supervisor Exam Labor Relations and Union Management 3

Question 1

An employee covered by a union agreement files both a grievance and an EEO complaint about the same incident. The supervisor should:

Accepted Answer

Treat both processes as separate and comply with the requirements of each

Answer

Refuse to process the grievance until the EEO complaint is resolved

Answer

Consolidate both matters into one internal investigation

Answer

Dismiss the grievance because the EEO process takes precedence

Question 2

A union proposes contract language that would limit management's ability to assign overtime. Under public sector labor law, management's typical response option is to:

Accepted Answer

Bargain over the proposal in good faith, asserting management rights positions as appropriate

Answer

Refuse to discuss the proposal as it involves a management prerogative

Answer

Accept the proposal to avoid an impasse

Answer

File an unfair labor practice charge to prevent the proposal from being heard

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the role of an arbitrator in a public sector labor dispute?

Accepted Answer

A neutral third party who issues a binding decision on unresolved grievances

Answer

A government official who mediates contract negotiations

Answer

A union representative who advocates for the grievant

Answer

An agency attorney who defends management's actions

Question 4

A supervisor receives a notice that the union is requesting information about employee overtime records. The supervisor should:

Accepted Answer

Provide the relevant records in a timely manner, redacting only legally protected personal information

Answer

Provide records only after the union specifies exactly why each record is needed

Answer

Decline the request and direct the union to file a formal FOIA request

Answer

Provide only summary data rather than individual records

Question 5

The concept of 'past practice' in labor relations means that:

Accepted Answer

A consistent, longstanding, mutually accepted workplace practice may be enforceable even if not written in the contract

Answer

Any practice more than five years old becomes permanent agency policy

Answer

Management must follow whatever was done under the prior administration

Answer

Union members have the right to continue any benefit they personally received previously

Question 6

A first-line civil service supervisor's MOST important role in labor relations is to:

Accepted Answer

Apply contract terms consistently and fairly in daily supervisory decisions

Answer

Negotiate the collective bargaining agreement on behalf of management

Answer

Advise senior management on strategic labor policy

Answer

Represent the agency at arbitration hearings