What is the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)?

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is a federal law in the United States that protects the rights of employees to organize, form unions, and engage in collective bargaining with their employers. The NLRA, also known as the Wagner Act, was enacted in 1935 during the Great Depression to address the power imbalances between workers and employers.

NLRA Key Provisions and Implications

1. Employee Rights: The NLRA guarantees employees the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor unions, and to engage in other concerted activities for mutual aid or protection.

2. Collective Bargaining: The NLRA requires employers to bargain in good faith with unions that represent their employees in order to reach collective bargaining agreements regarding wages, hours, and working conditions.

3. Workplace Regulations: The NLRA prohibits unfair labor practices by both employers and unions, such as interfering with employees' rights to organize, discriminate against union members, or retaliate against employees for engaging in protected activities.

The NLRA has had a significant impact on labor relations in the United States, promoting unionization and collective bargaining as mechanisms to protect workers' rights in the workplace.