What are the federal labor laws protecting workers' rights?
In the United States, the federal laws protecting workers’ rights are set forth in the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRA applies to employers and employees covered by it in all states, including California. The NLRA protects the rights of workers to join or form labor unions, engage in collective bargaining, and take part in peaceful strikes and other activities. In addition, the NLRA ensures that employers cannot interfere with or discriminate against workers who engage in any of these activities. Under the NLRA, employers are prohibited from interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their labor rights. Examples of this type of behavior include threatening to terminate employees for participating in union activities, preventing employees from distributing union literature, and refusing to negotiate in good faith. Furthermore, employers are prohibited from retaliating against workers who file charges or complaints with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Additionally, the NLRA guarantees union members’ rights to fair representation by their union and to participate in certain democratic processes within the union. This includes the right to elect union officers, to participate in collective bargaining, and to cast ballots in strikes and other matters on which the union members take action. Finally, the NLRA prohibits employers from hiring replacement workers to perform the duties of striking employees. This protects employees’ rights to peacefully strike without the fear of being replaced by other workers. In summary, the NLRA provides workers with numerous rights, including the right to form and join unions, collectively bargain, and participate in strikes and other activities, while also protecting workers from employer interference or intimidation.
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