Legal Definitions - National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is a government agency that makes sure that employees have the right to choose whether or not they want to join a union and bargain with their employer. The NLRB was created by Congress in 1935 and enforces the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

The NLRA gives employees the right to:

• Choose to join a union
• Choose to not join a union
• Choose a representative to bargain with their employer

The NLRB also regulates employer-employee bargaining and union activity. It investigates and resolves disputes between employers and employees related to labor practices. The NLRB has the power to decide which labor organization will represent a group of employees.

For example, if a group of employees at a factory want to join a union, but their employer is against it, the NLRB can investigate and decide if the employer is breaking the law by trying to stop the employees from joining the union.

The NLRB has a Board with five members who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Board acts as a quasi-judicial body, which means it makes decisions based on formal records in administrative proceedings. The General Counsel is responsible for investigating and prosecuting unfair labor practice cases and supervising NLRB field offices.

The NLRB's decisions can be reviewed by the United States Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals has a narrow and highly deferential review of the NLRB's decisions.