Question

1. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) uses business-savvy techniques to organize
workers. One example occurred when the SEIU had difficulty in organizing office cleaners who were
primarily women and immigrants. When the union organizer learned that many office buildings were
financed by large pension funds, he persuaded one pension fund to insert a “responsible contractor”
clause into each financing policy, and then in one fast way, organized all the office cleaners. Is this a “fair
labour practice”? Why or why not?

2. Provincial labour laws typically do not cover individuals who are self-employed. Should labour
laws be changed to allow self-employed individuals to become union members? If so, what could the
benefits be and why?

3. You have recently been appointed as a shop steward for your work unit. The supervisor of the
unit tends to be fairly controlling and direct in the approach to staff; however, you feel that the

supervisor has always been fair in dealing with members of the bargaining unit. What type of
relationship would you want to develop with the supervisor? Why?

4. You are part of the negotiating team representing all the workers in a medium-size, high-end
clothing manufacturer. Some of your fellow workers are in the 18 to 27 age bracket, and another large
number are in the 45 to 50 age bracket. What are some items these workers might want in relation to
hours of work and benefits?

5. Indira Singh has decided to file a grievance with her union steward, alleging that she was not
promoted and a more junior (in seniority) employee was. Describe the steps in her grievance and
whether you think her grievance ought to go to arbitration.

Answer 1

Answering the first question as HOMEWORKLIB Guidelines:

1. A responsible contractor policy helps in establishing fair wage practices for the contracted or sub-contracted workers of a company. It also helps in establishing the employment rules for such workers so that any kind of work exploitation may not happen. In the given case, the union, SEIU, was facing difficulty in organizing office cleaners who were primarily women and immigrants. By inserting a responsible contractor clause, the SEIU helped in facilitating the work conditions of such office cleaners and assuring them that they will be paid fairly. This official surety will attract the workers to the union. In my views, it is a fair labor practice as SEIU is doing nothing wrong in giving fair representation to the workers. The workers needed an incentive or objective for organizing and SEIU provided them with that reason. It formed a win-win situation for all.