The International Union of Professional Sports Officials (which represents referees in basketball, football, soccer, rugby, and hockey) has reached an impasse after continued discussions with its members and executive board. Members are clearly divided and fall into two camps (support Proposal 1 or Proposal 2). Due to your expertise in industrial relations and dispute resolution, you have been called in to examine the two positions, act as an arbitrator, and select one of the two proposals. You must select one of the two final offers (final offer selection). Be sure and support your answer. The two proposals are presented below.

Proposal 1: Referees need the right to manage the game and not be forced into calling every infraction or penalty. They do not want to decide a game as a result of a penalty call at a key moment - leave it up to the players to determine the outcome. In addition, in games where one team has a huge lead, there is no need to call every penalty. Also, some infractions are accidental or have no impact on the game - it would slow down the game if referees called every penalty. In the playoffs, the best players need to overcome adversity and demonstrate that they are stars and can excel without the help of the referees. The fans do not want an endless number of penalties and a penalty call late in a close playoff game can change the outcome. Let the players (not the referees) decide the outcome.

Proposal 2: Referees should call all penalties, regardless of the circumstances. If referees do not call penalties, they are deciding the game by not blowing their whistle. "Let the players play" equals "let the cheaters cheat." The "standard" for penalty calls should not vary game-to-game or period to period. The problem is more obvious in the playoffs when less talented players get away with infractions that slow down more talented players. Right when a league is in the spotlight and game outcomes are critical, it makes it harder for stars to shine. Each league should use the rulebook to protect all players (including the stars) and if the rulebook is violated, then call the penalty.

You have just been hired as a Policy and Strategy Analyst for the Firefighters Union of Nova Scotia (FUNS). Members of the union are involved in fighting fires in both urban and rural locations (for instance, house fires, forest fires, etc.). FUNS is particularly concerned about the effect of climate change on their union and its impact on such issues as employee recruitment, training and safety. Provide the union with a summary of some of the implications of climate change for the union.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Summary of Implications of Climate Change for the Firefighters Union of Nova Scotia FUNS 1 Increased Frequency and Intensity of Fires Climate change i... View the full answer