Question

Seniority will always be the determining factor in a union agreement.

A. Not always. Some union contracts will use education as the determining factor overruling seniority in the process.
B. Seniority is only used by unions that have contracts or subcontracts with federal agencies.
C. Public agencies rely on seniority, and they are the only ones with those agreements.
D. Universally, unions will rely on seniority as the determining factor for all treatment under contract provisions.

Answer 1

Seniority is not the exclusive determining factor in union agreements as other aspects like education or merit may override it. Unions focus on productivity, offering members various benefits like higher wages and job training. Union workers may also be more willing to embrace new technology than nonunion workers.

Step-by-step explanation:

Seniority does not always determine the outcome in union agreements. While it is a common factor, some union contracts may prioritize other aspects such as education or merit over seniority. For example, in the U.S. Senate, seniority is used to assign rankings which affect office space, committee chair positions, and seating. This demonstrates seniority-based authority, but it is not the only criteria used in every union-related situation.

Many unions aim to increase productivity and may offer higher wages, job stability, training, and apprenticeship programs to their members, which in turn encourage loyalty and reduce hiring and training costs for employers. Seniority often plays a role in this dynamic as it can lead to less turnover and more experienced workers. However, when it comes to adapting to new technology, union workers may actually be more receptive than nonunion workers because they trust their unions to negotiate on their behalf and protect their interests.