The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent federal agency that protects the rights of workers to organize, form unions, and bargain collectively with their employers. Established in 1935 as part of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the NLRB plays a critical role in ensuring fair labor practices and protecting workers’ rights.

What Does the NLRB Do?

• Protects Workers’ Rights: The NLRB ensures that workers can join together to improve their wages, benefits, and working conditions without fear of retaliation or interference from employers.
• Investigates Unfair Labor Practices: The NLRB investigates claims of illegal actions by employers or unions, such as firing workers for union activity or failing to bargain in good faith.
• Oversees Union Elections: The agency supervises and certifies union elections to ensure that the process is free, fair, and democratic.
• Enforces Labor Laws: The NLRB enforces federal labor laws to hold employers and unions accountable when they violate workers’ rights.

For workers, the NLRB is a vital resource in the fight for better jobs, stronger protections, and a voice in the workplace. Whether you’re considering joining a union or need support in addressing workplace issues, the NLRB is here to defend your rights.

Board Composition:

• Five Members: Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, each serving staggered five-year terms. The Board primarily functions as a quasi-judicial body, making decisions on cases based on formal records in administrative proceedings.

General Counsel:

• Role: Acts as the chief prosecutor, overseeing the investigation and prosecution of unfair labor practice cases and supervising the NLRB’s field offices.

Current Leadership (as of February 2025):

• Chairman: Marvin E. Kaplan, a Republican, appointed by President Donald Trump.
• Member: David M. Prouty, a Democrat, appointed by President Joe Biden.
• Vacancies: Three seats are currently vacant. Notably, President Trump dismissed Democratic member Gwynne Wilcox in January 2025, a move that has led to legal challenges and left the Board without a quorum, effectively stalling numerous cases.
   

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), passed in 1935, is a cornerstone of U.S. labor law that protects workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively through unions. It also aims to prevent unfair labor practices by employers. Here’s how it relates to unions:

Key Provisions of the NLRA:

• Right to Organize: Workers have the legal right to form, join, or assist labor unions without interference or retaliation from their employer.
• Collective Bargaining: The NLRA guarantees employees the right to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions collectively with their employer.
• Prohibition of Unfair Practices: The act makes it illegal for employers to engage in practices like firing workers for union activities or refusing to negotiate with a certified union.
• National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): The NLRA established the NLRB to oversee and enforce labor laws, resolve disputes, and ensure fair elections when workers vote on union representation.

Importance for Unions:

The NLRA provides unions with the legal foundation to represent workers effectively. It empowers unions to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions and protects workers’ rights to stand together without fear of reprisal.

The Davis-Bacon Act is a federal law enacted in 1931. It requires that contractors and subcontractors working on federally funded or assisted construction projects pay their laborers and mechanics no less than the locally prevailing wages and benefits for similar work in the area.

However, many states have their own “mini-Davis-Bacon” laws, often referred to as prevailing wage laws, which apply similar requirements to state-funded construction projects. Iowa, for example, does not have a state-level prevailing wage law, which means the Davis-Bacon Act applies only to federally funded projects within the state.

When working in Iowa and the project is federally funded, Davis-Bacon wage requirements will apply. For state-funded projects, there’s no equivalent law mandating prevailing wages unless specified by a particular contract or agreement.

Project 2025 proposes several measures that could negatively impact unions and jobs in Iowa:

• Union Restrictions: The plan suggests banning public sector unions and making it more difficult for private sector workers to organize, potentially diminishing union influence and worker protections.

• Reduced Worker Protections: It aims to roll back federal rules that ensure workplace safety, which could lead to more hazardous working conditions for employees.

• Overtime Pay Changes: The initiative includes proposals to weaken overtime protections, potentially resulting in reduced compensation for workers putting in extra hours.