National Labor Relations Board

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent federal agency that was established in 1935 to administer the National Labor Relations Act. It is separate from the Department of Labor and run by five members, appointed by the president with the consent of the Senate, who serve 5-year terms with one member’s term expiring each year. Three members are generally from the party in the White House and the other two from the other party.

The NLRB works to protect the right of private sector employees to select a union as their bargaining representative or to not join a union. It also protects the rights of employees who, although not belonging to a union, engage in “concerted activity.” The NLRB reviews and makes determinations with ...