Most Texas employees have heard of the National Labor Review Board, or NLRB as it’s more commonly referred to. However, surprisingly few know what the NLRB is or how important the agency is to employees. Very generally, the NLRB protects the rights of employees to organize in pursuit of better wages or conditions. In pursuit of this goal, the NLRB fulfills many roles.
The NLRB is an independent federal agency formed in 1935 with the passage of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which was enacted to “protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to curtail certain private sector labor and management practices.” The NLRB consists of a five-member board, a general counsel, and dozens of judges in addition to a large support staff spread across its central Washington, D.C. office and 26 smaller regional offices. The primary purpose of the NLRB is to enforce the NLRA.
How Does the NLRB Help Employees?
The NLRB is primarily concerned with protecting the rights of employees to organize. Importantly, the NLRB does not only protect unionized employees, but it safeguards any group of employees that bands together seeking to improve their working conditions or wages. Thus, one of the primary roles of the NLRB is to investigate claims of unfair labor practices that are made by employees to any of the 26 regional offices.
If after an investigation the NLRB determines the employer violated the NLRA, the NLRB will assist in facilitating negotiations between the parties in an attempt to resolve the matter. In many cases, a settlement of some kind will be reached. If an agreement cannot be reached, one of the NLRB’s administrative law judges will decide the case. If an employer fails to comply with an NLRB order, the NLRB can file a claim in a federal appellate court to force a company to comply.
Which Employers Are Subject to the NLRB’s Jurisdiction?
The NLRB oversees private employers who engage in a certain level of interstate commerce. In this context, interstate commerce is broadly defined, so most employers are covered by the NLRB as a consequence. The NLRB oversees businesses of all types, including non-union businesses, labor organizations, non-profit organizations, and employee-owned businesses. However, government employers are not subject to the NLRB’s jurisdiction.
Are You Involved in a Texas Labor Dispute?
If you are currently involved in a Texas labor dispute, consider contacting the committed team of attorneys at the law firm of Rob Wiley, P.C. Throughout the firm’s 18 years, we have served thousands of Texas employees, and we know what it takes to succeed on behalf of our clients. To learn more about how we can assist you with the work dispute or situation you are currently facing, call 214-528-6500 to schedule a consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
Can a Texas Employer Require Employees to Pool Tips?, Dallas Employment Lawyer Blog, October 25, 2018.
Responsibilities of Texas Employers under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Dallas Employment Lawyer Blog, November 2, 2018.