What is the National Labor Relations Act?

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is a federal law that protects workers and their right to form and join labor unions. This law, passed in 1935, applies to private-sector employers, who must comply with the law’s requirements. The NLRA encourages collective bargaining, the process in which employees negotiate with their employers to set pay and other working conditions. The law also prohibits employers from taking certain kinds of actions that could prevent workers from forming and joining labor unions. In Washington state, employers must comply with the NLRA and federal labor laws that build on the NLRA, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is the agency responsible for enforcing these laws. The NLRA offers protection to all private-sector employees, not just unionized workers. This means workers have the right to discuss working conditions and wages with their co-workers, participate in union activities, and engage in legally protected strikes. The law also prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for engaging in such activities.

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What is the National Labor Relations Act?

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