NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

(NLRB) in the United States, an independent federal agency created by the U.S. Congress in 1935 to administer the National Labor Relations Act (the Wagner Act). The act was amended in 1947 (the Taft-Hartley Act) and in 1959 (the Landrum-Griffin Act). The primary functions of the NLRB are (1) to determine by secret-ballot elections conducted by the agency whether the employees in a business or industry wish to be represented by labour unions in collective bargaining and (2) to prevent or correct unfair labour practices by employers or unions. The agency deals with labour disputes by means of investigation and informal settlements or through quasi-judicial proceedings. The general counsel of the board is responsible for issuing formal complaints and for prosecuting complaints and court cases. Members of the board are selected by the U.S. president. The NLRB has no independent power to enforce its orders but may seek enforcement through a U.S. court of appeals; parties to the orders may also seek judicial review. The board may not act on its own motion; charges and representation petitions must be initiated by employers, individuals, or unions.