The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently launched a new mobile app which is free of charge to iPhone and Android users. The app uses 21st century technology to provide employers, employees and unions with helpful information about their rights and responsibilities under the National Labor Relations Act (Act).
So what does the Act cover?
It protects the rights of employees to join together, with or without a union, and bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, or to refrain from such activities, to improve their wages and working conditions or fix job-related problems.
Conversely, employers are forbidden 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.
NLRB Statistics
According to the NLRB, it received more than 82,000 public inquiries regarding workplace issues. With such a large number of inquiries about the laws the NLRB enforces it is reasonable to assume this app will make navigating them a little easier. In fact, on average each month the NLRB files approximately 2,000 unfair labor practices charges and 200 representation petitions. In 2012 alone, the NLRB collected more than $44 million in back pay or the reimbursement of fees, dues and fines. Did you know?…more than 1,200 employees were offered reinstatement as a result of NLRB enforcement efforts.
Interested in getting the free app?
For iPhone users the app is available on the Apple App Store, click here.
For Android users the app is available on Google Play, click here.
By the way, if you are a federal contractor or subcontractor working on a federal contract you must post the NLRB contractor poster in the workplace.
Executive Order No. 13496 requires federal contractors and subcontractors to post the NLRA notice, whether or not they have unionized employees. The rules cover: All prime contracts that are for the purchase, sale, or use of personal property (including off-the-shelf commercially available items) or non-personal services (utilities, insurance, construction, transportation, research, insurance and fund depository.) solicited on or after June 21, 2010, and that are for an amount in excess of $100,000, and all subcontracts, including lower tier subcontracts, that are “necessary” to performance of the federal contract and for an amount in excess of $10,000.
The NLRA poster must be physically posted where other notices are displayed, and if the employer also posts notices electronically, then the NLRA must be electronically posted on the employer’s intranet as well.Additionally, the notice must be posted in languages spoken and understood by the employees.