This paper addresses the question of whether a worker center is a “labor organization” under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA or Act). Put another way, are both traditional labor unions and worker centers included in the term “labor organization” as it is used in the NLRA?
The functions of a traditional labor union are well known. They exist principally for the purpose of organizing employees and representing them in collective bargaining with their employers. Generally, they are organized into local unions, which perform the day-to-day functions of administering collective bargaining agreements, and international or “parent” unions, which are responsible for union organizing and coordinating political and other activities beyond the ken of the locals. Although traditional labor unions can take various other structures, their basic functions remain the same...
