National Labor Relations Board

In the United States the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is a five-person appointed federal agency charged with conducting elections for labor union representation and with investigating and remedying unfair labor practices. The NLRB was established in 1935 through passage of the National Labor Relations Act, better known as the Wagner Act, and amended by the Taft-Hartley Act in 1947.

Related Topics:
United States - Labor union - Unfair labor practice - 1935 - National Labor Relations Act - Taft-Hartley Act - 1947

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The Board's jurisdiction is limited to private sector employers; it has no authority over labor relations disputes involving governmental employees, or railroad and airline employees covered by the Railway Labor Act or agricultural employees. In those parts of the private sector it does cover, on the other hand, its jurisdictional standards are low enough to reach almost all employers whose business has any appreciable impact on interstate commerce.

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The Taft-Hartley Act also created a formal administrative distinction between the Board and the General Counsel of the NLRB. In broad terms, the General Counsel is responsible for investigating and prosecuting unfair labor practice claims; the Board, on the other hand, is the adjudicative body that decides the unfair labor practice cases brought to it. While the General Counsel has limited independence to argue for a change in the law in presenting cases to the Board, once the Board has decided the issue it is the General Counsel's responsibility to defend the Board's decision, even if it is contrary to the position he advocated when presenting the case to the Board. The Board is also responsible for the administration of the Act's provisions governing the holding of elections and resolution of jurisdictional disputes.

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The Board has more than thirty regional offices, which conduct elections, investigate unfair labor practice charges and make the initial determination whether to dismiss, settle or issue complaint on those charges. The Board has jurisdiction to hold elections and prosecute violations of the Act in Puerto Rico and American Samoa.

Related Topics:
Puerto Rico - American Samoa

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A predecessor organization, the National Labor Board, was established by the National Industrial Recovery Act in 1933, subsequently struck down by the Supreme Court.

Related Topics:
National Labor Board - National Industrial Recovery Act - 1933 - Supreme Court

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