Basic Guide To The National Labor Relations Act

Provides a basic framework for a better understanding of the National Labor Relations Act and its administration.

The Regional Offices of the National Labor Relations Board have found that, more than six decades after its enactment, there is still a lack of basic information about the National Labor Relations Act. Staff members have expressed a need for a simply stated explanation of the Act to which anyone could be referred for guidance. To meet this demand, the basic law under the Act has been set forth in this pamphlet in a nontechnical way so that those who may be affected by it can better understand what their rights and obligations are. Any effort to state basic principles of law in a simple way is a challenging and unenviable task. This is especially true about labor law, a relatively complex field of law. Anyone reading this booklet must bear in mind several cautions. First, it must be emphasized that the Office of the General Counsel does not issue advisory opinions and this material cannot be considered as an official statement of law.

This guide provides a basic framework for a better understanding of the National Labor Relations Act & its administration. Includes: summary of the act; the rights of employees; collective bargaining & representation of employees; how a bargaining representative is selected; unfair labor practices of employers; unfair labor practices of labor organizations; & how the act is enforced. Also includes a special chart that arranges systematically the types of cases in which an employer or a labor organization may be involved under the Act, including both unfair labor practice cases & representation election proceedings.

Whether you are a supervisor, a business owner, or an HR professional, it is essential that you understand the laws and rules governing how one treats employees and interacts with unions. In a comprehensive and accessible format, Labor Law: A Basic Guide to the National Labor Relations Act provides a practice-oriented foundation on labor law. The book sheds light on one of America's most important laws and one which is also, perhaps, the most misunderstood. This book presents an overview of labor and employment laws such that managers may understand their rights as employers as well and their employees' rights. It covers an introduction to the topic of labor and employment law as well as a brief history within the United States. Other chapters deal with unions and union relations, collective bargaining agreements, grievances, labor arbitration, unfair labor practice proceedings, and strikes and lockouts. The author does not focus on complex regulations and convoluted case law, but distills them to reveal the essence of the NLRA and how it works. As important as it is, at times labor law can seem counter-intuitive. Written by a highly experienced labor lawyer, this book contains concise explanations in an easy-to-use format. Clearly delineating a process that can be fraught with traps for the unwary, it supplies a quick reference that can be used in a crisis situation to understand the parameters of what you can and cannot do.