The workers at Bell Manufacturing will shortly go on strike unless the

Hey All,

I know some people have been arguing this one back and forth still, so I'll weigh in one last time.

18. The workers at Bell Manufacturing will shortly go on strike unless the management increases their wages. As Bell’s president is well aware, however, in order to increase the worker’s wages, Bell would have to sell off some of its subsidiaries. So, some of Bell’s subsidiaries will be sold.

Conclusion: Bell will sell subsidiaries
Premise: Workers going on strike unless management ups wages, but subsidiaries need to be sold to up wages
Assumption: Bell cares is workers go on strike

The conclusion above is properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed?
(A) Bell Manufacturing will begin to suffer increased losses.
PROBLEM: We don't need this to make the argument work, because this is theoretical about the strike, not necessarily implying that the strike will happen. If it doesn't, there needn't be any losses.

(B) Bell’s management will refuse to increase its worker’s wages.
PROBLEM: This is the opposite of what we want. If they don't increase wages, they won't need to sell subsidiaries.

(C) The workers at Bell Manufacturing will not be going on strike.
ANSWER: Try "least extreme negation" (this is the method whereby you can take the opposite of every answer choice, and whichever one DESTROYS the argument is the correct assumption). "The workers WILL be going on strike." If they go on strike, then that means their wages weren't increased, and thus that the company didn't sell its subsidiaries. That would destroy the conclusion.

(D) Bell’s president has the authority to offer the workers their desired wage increase.
PROBLEM: We don't need the president to have the authority. The board could do it, or anybody.

(E) Bell’s workers will not accept a package of improved benefits in place of their desired wage increase.
PROBLEM: Totally irrelevant, as the argument is ABOUT the wage increase.

Hope that helps!

-t