Workers in the United States had a right to join trade unions and withhold their service during industrial actions even before 1935. However, employers could dismiss any worker for being involved in a union agitation or partaking in a strike (Bok, 1964). During harsh economic periods, many employees faced considerable difficulties to obtain other employment opportunities compared with senior managers hiring other workers. As a result, the American working class was not attracted by the idea of joining trade unions, and by 1933, a mere 10% of the country’s workforce belonged to a union (Gorman & Finkin, 2004). In the same year, Robert F. Wagner, a senator from New York presented a bill to the White House that was important in proscribing discriminating labor practices by employers. With the backing of trade unions in the country, the bill presented by the senator transformed into the NLRA. Question 2. The Role of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) …show more content…
Firstly, the board can decide when to receive a petition from workers; such issue as an adequate bargaining component of employees has to be considered. Secondly, the board makes a determination through a secret poll, which is held by it, whether workers in any sector desire to be represented by a labor union. Thirdly, unfair labor practices fronted by either an employer or by a union may be blocked or reserved by the board (Morris,1983). The five-member board with the general counsel are all presidential appointees, and they perform varying functions. The NLRB is tasked with hearing labor disputes and making a resolution on them via a quasi-judicial proceeding. The general counsel, who sits at the board, has the responsibility to investigate and prosecute complaints, in addition to overseeing cases in regional offices. Due to the multiple objectives the NLRB pursue, this model is widely