Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Practice Exam

Which statement is true regarding labour boards?

1. They oversee the collective bargaining process.

2. They hear claims of illegal strikes and lockouts.

3. They enforce employment standards.

4. They refer unfair labour practices to the Ministry of Labour.

The correct answer is: They hear claims of illegal strikes and lockouts.

The statement that labour boards hear claims of illegal strikes and lockouts is accurate. Labour boards play a pivotal role in maintaining industrial peace by adjudicating disputes that arise in the context of labor relations. When an employer or union believes that a strike or lockout is illegal, they can file a complaint with the labour board. The board is then responsible for evaluating the situation, interpreting the relevant labor laws, and making determinations based on the facts presented. This function is essential in ensuring that the rights of both employers and employees are upheld and that any actions taken during labor disputes are lawful. The role of overseeing the collective bargaining process typically falls more under the purview of facilitation rather than direct oversight, making that option less accurate. While labour boards may provide guidance or intervene in disputes over the bargaining process, they do not actively manage it. Enforcing employment standards is primarily the responsibility of employment standards agencies or departments rather than labour boards, which focus more on collective agreements and labor relations issues. Referring unfair labour practices to the Ministry of Labour is not a primary function of labour boards; instead, they investigate and rule on such claims themselves.