National Labor Relations Board

Working to assure fair labor practices and workplace democracy nationwide

OVERVIEW

The NLRB is an independent federal agency created in 1935 to administer and enforce the NLRA by conducting secret-ballot elections among employees to determine whether or not the employees wish to be represented by a union; and by preventing and remedying statutorily defined ULPs by employers and unions. The NLRB acts only on those charges brought before it and does not initiate cases. All proceedings originate with the filing of charges or petitions by employees, labor unions, private employers, or other private parties.