Workers’ Rights to Organize

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 mutual aid or protection.
— National Labor Relations Act, 1935

Under the National Labor Relations Act, you have the right to:

• Organize a union to negotiate with your employer concerning your wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
• Form, join, or assist a union.
• Bargain collectively through representatives of your own choosing for a contract with your employer setting your wages, benefits, hours, and other working conditions.
• Discuss your terms and conditions of employment or union organizing with your co-workers or a union.
• Take action with one or more co-workers to improve your working conditions by, among other means, raising work-related complaints directly with your employer or with a government agency, and seeking help from a union.
• Strike and picket, depending on the purpose or means of the strike or picketing.
• Choose not to do any of these activities, including joining or remaining a member of a union.

According to the Department of Labor Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act, the NLRA guarantees the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively with their employers, and to engage in other protected concerted activity. Employees covered by the NLRA are protected from certain types of employer and union misconduct.

Contact the National Labor Relations Board, the Federal agency that investigates and resolves complaints under the NLRA, if you have any questions about specific rights that may apply in your particular workplace.