Resources
Empower Yourself
Union Resources at Your Fingertips!
Information and tools to support your union organizing efforts. Here, you’ll find materials designed to educate, empower, and guide you through the process of unionizing your workplace.
National Labor Relations Act
In 1935, Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”), making clear that it is the policy of the United States to encourage collective bargaining by protecting workers’ full freedom of association. The NLRA protects workplace democracy by providing employees at private-sector workplaces the fundamental right to seek better working conditions and designation of representation without fear of retaliation.
Employer/Union Rights & Obligations
The National Labor Relations Act forbids employers from interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of rights relating to organizing, forming, joining or assisting a labor organization for collective bargaining purposes, or from working together to improve terms and conditions of employment, or refraining from any such activity. Similarly, labor organizations may not restrain or coerce employees in the exercise of these rights.
Examples of employer conduct that violates the law:
- Threatening employees with loss of jobs or benefits if they join or vote for a union or engage in protected concerted activity.
- Threatening to close the plant if employees select a union to represent them.
- Questioning employees about their union sympathies or activities in circumstances that tend to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees in the exercise of their rights under the Act.
- Promising benefits to employees to discourage their union support.
- Transferring, laying off, terminating, assigning employees more difficult work tasks, or otherwise punishing employees because they engaged in union or protected concerted activity
- Transferring, laying off, terminating, assigning employees more difficult work tasks, or otherwise punishing employees because they filed unfair labor practice charges or participated in an investigation conducted by NLRB.
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Employee Rights
Rights of employees – Sec. 7. [§ 157.]
Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, and shall also have the right to refrain from any or all of such activities except to the extent that such right may be affected by an agreement requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment as authorized in section 8(a)(3) [section 158(a)(3) of this title].
Employees covered by the National Labor Relations Act are afforded certain rights to join together to improve their wages and working conditions, with or without a union.
UNION ACTIVITY
Employees have the right to attempt to form a union where none currently exists, or to decertify a union that has lost the support of employees.
Examples of employee rights include:
- Forming, or attempting to form, a union in your workplace;
- Joining a union whether the union is recognized by your employer or not;
- Assisting a union in organizing your fellow employees;
- Refusing to do any or all of these things.
- To be fairly represented by a union
ACTIVITY OUTSIDE A UNION
Employees who are not represented by a union also have rights under the NLRA. Specifically, the National Labor Relations Board protects the rights of employees to engage in “concerted activity”, which is when two or more employees take action for their mutual aid or protection regarding terms and conditions of employment. A single employee may also engage in protected concerted activity if he or she is acting on the authority of other employees, bringing group complaints to the employer’s attention, trying to induce group action, or seeking to prepare for group action.
A few examples of protected concerted activities are:
- Two or more employees addressing their employer about improving their pay.
- Two or more employees discussing work-related issues beyond pay, such as safety concerns, with each other.
- An employee speaking to an employer on behalf of one or more co-workers about improving workplace conditions.
WHO IS COVERED?
Most employees in the private sector are covered by the NLRA.
However, the Act specifically excludes individuals who are:
- employed by Federal, state, or local government
- employed as agricultural laborers
- employed in the domestic service of any person or family in a home
- employed by a parent or spouse
- employed as an independent contractor
- employed as a supervisor (supervisors who have been discriminated against for refusing to violate the NLRA may be covered)
- employed by an employer subject to the Railway Labor Act, such as railroads and airlines
- employed by any other person who is not an employer as defined in the NLRA
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What to Expcet
Starting the process of forming a union can be both exciting and transformative, but it’s natural to wonder what lies ahead. Here’s a look at what you can expect when you take the first step toward building a better workplace:
Honest Conversations with Coworkers
Forming a union starts with conversations. Expect to talk with your coworkers about shared concerns like pay, benefits, safety, and respect on the job. You might be surprised to find how much common ground you share—and how ready others are to join you in improving the workplace.
Strong Support from Experienced Organizers
You won’t be doing this alone. Union organizers and representatives will be there to provide guidance, answer your questions, and help you navigate the process. They bring expertise and tools that ensure you’re equipped to succeed.
Employer Pushback
It’s possible your employer won’t be thrilled about the idea of a union. Be prepared for them to raise questions, spread misinformation, or try to discourage you. But don’t worry—unions are protected by law, and organizers will help you understand your rights and counter any resistance.
A Growing Sense of Solidarity
As momentum builds, you’ll notice a stronger sense of unity among your coworkers. Expect to feel a shared purpose and pride as you come together to demand better wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Empowerment & Challenges
Forming a union is a powerful experience, but it can also come with challenges. You may face moments of uncertainty, but remember: standing up for yourself and your coworkers is worth it. Each step forward is a step toward a stronger, fairer workplace.
A Path Toward Change
Forming a union isn’t just about today—it’s about creating a better future. By joining together, you and your coworkers will gain the ability to negotiate fair wages, improved benefits, and a safer, more respectful workplace.