Nurse Executive Certification Practice Exam

What percentage of employees must vote for union representation before the union can be certified as an official bargaining agent?

1. One half or 50% of the employees who vote, plus one employee

2. One half or 50% of the total number of employees, plus one employee

3. Two-thirds or 67% of the employees who vote

4. Two-thirds or 67% of the total number of employees

The correct answer is: One half or 50% of the total number of employees, plus one employee

The correct answer is based on the requirement that a union must receive majority support to be certified as the official representative of employees. In this context, the phrase "total number of employees" means that the calculation is based on the entire workforce eligible to vote, not just those who actually participate in the voting process. For a union to be certified, it must obtain approval from at least 50% plus one of the total eligible employees, ensuring that a clear majority support is present for the union representation. This rule protects against situations where only a small fraction of the workforce could decide whether to unionize, granting a legitimate mandate to the union. This requirement underscores the commitment to inclusive representation, making it imperative that a substantial percentage of the workforce supports the union's establishment for it to be deemed officially recognized.