ASSIGNMENT
1.T.W.E., a large manufacturer, prohibited its employees from distributing union leaflets to other employees while on the company’s property. Richard, an employee of T.W.E., disregarded the prohibition and passed out the leaflets before his work shift began. T.W.E. discharged Richard for his actions. Has T.W.E. committed an unfair labor practice? Explain.
2. Erwick was dismissed from her job at the C & T Steel Company because she was “an unsatisfactory employee.” At the time, Erwick was active in an effort to organize a union at C & T. Is the dismissal valid? Why or why not?
3. Johnson, president of the First National Bank of A, believes that it is appropriate to employ only female tellers. Hence, First National refuses to employ Ken Baker as a teller but does offer him a maintenance position at the same salary. Baker brings a cause of action against First National Bank. Is First National illegally discriminating based on gender? Why or why not?
4. Section 103 of the Federal Public Works Employment Act establishes the MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) program and requires that, absent a waiver by the Secretary of Commerce, 10 percent of all Federal grants given by the Economic Development Administration must be used to purchase services or supplies from businesses owned and controlled by U.S. citizens belonging to one of six minority groups: African American, Spanish-speaking, Asian, Native American, Eskimo, and Aleut. White owners of businesses contend that the Act constitutes illegal reverse discrimination. Discuss.
5. Worth H. Percivil, a mechanical engineer, was employed by General Motors (GM) for twenty-six years until he was discharged. At the time his employment was terminated, Percivil was head of GM’s Mechanical Development department. Percivil sued GM for wrongful discharge. He contends that he was discharged as a result of a conspiracy among his fellow executives to force him out of his employment because of his age; because he had legitimately complained about certain deceptive practices of GM; because he had refused to give the government false information although urged to do so by his superiors; and because he had, on the contrary, undertaken to correct certain alleged misrepresentations made to the government. GM claims that Percivil’s employment was terminable at the will of GM for any reason and with or without cause, provided that the discharge was not prohibited by statute. Has Percivil been wrongly discharged? Why or why not?
