Final answer:
Layoff provisions in union contracts do prioritize seniority as the primary factor in retaining employees during layoffs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Layoff provisions in the majority of union contracts consider seniority as the primary or most important factor in retaining employees during layoffs' is True.
Many union contracts include provisions that prioritize seniority when making decisions about layoffs. This means that employees with longer tenure in the company are more likely to be retained during layoffs, regardless of their job performance or skills. Seniority-based layoffs are intended to protect employees from being unfairly targeted based on factors other than their length of service with the company.
This practice is often viewed as a way to promote fairness and prevent discrimination in the layoff process. However, it can also lead to situations where highly skilled or productive employees are laid off while less experienced or less skilled employees are kept on solely based on their seniority. The goal is to prioritize job security for employees who have invested more time in the company.