What act established the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively with their employers?

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is significant as it established the rights of workers to organize and engage in collective bargaining with their employers. Enacted in 1935, the NLRA was designed to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to curtail certain private sector labor and management practices that could harm the general welfare of workers. One of the key provisions of this Act is Section 7, which guarantees employees the right to form, join, or assist labor organizations; to collectively bargain through representatives of their own choosing; and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or mutual aid or protection.

This foundational legislation laid the groundwork for labor relations in the United States, ensuring that employees have the legal backing to negotiate terms of employment and working conditions through organized labor. The legislation promotes a balance of power between workers and employers and has been pivotal in shaping labor rights in the U.S. over the decades.

In contrast, while the Fair Labor Standards Act focuses more on wage and hour regulations, and the Employee Free Choice Act aimed to streamline the process of unionization, it is the NLRA that formally established the collective bargaining rights that are central to labor organization efforts. The Labor Management