Are all workers allowed to Unionize?

[Love365]

Are all workers allowed to unionize?

 

[AlexB23]

Are all workers allowed to unionize?

I will give two explanations, one short, and one a bit more verbose for you.

Short version
In general, yes, workers can unionize in the USA.

Long version
In the United States, the right to form and join unions is protected by law for most workers through the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935. However, there are some exceptions. Here are a few categories of workers who are generally not covered by the NLRA:

1. Agricultural workers: The NLRA does not apply to most agricultural workers, although there are some exceptions for certain types of agricultural laborers, such as those who pack or process produce.
2. Supervisors: Under the NLRA, supervisors are generally considered managerial employees and are not eligible to form or join unions. However, there may be some exceptions for certain types of supervisors, such as those who perform manual labor for more than half of their workday or those whose duties are primarily non-supervisory.
3. Independent contractors: Independent contractors, who are in business for themselves rather than working as employees of another company, are not covered by the NLRA and do not have the right to form or join unions.
4. Federal, state, and local government employees: The NLRA applies primarily to private sector employers and employees. While some public sector workers have the right to form unions under state or local laws, federal government employees do not have this right under the NLRA.
5. Railroad and airline workers: The Railway Labor Act of 1926 and the Airline Safety and Labor Relations Act of 1974 provide collective bargaining rights for certain railroad and airline workers, respectively. These laws are different from the NLRA and have their own provisions regarding unionization and collective bargaining.
6. Other excluded industries: The NLRA does not apply to all industries, including certain types of businesses such as public utilities, private schools, and some healthcare facilities.

Disclaimer: Labor laws can vary significantly from one country to another outside of the USA, so the ability for workers to unionize may depend on the specific legal framework in place.

Here is the source: https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/employees/are-you-covered and Frequently Asked Questions - NLRB | National Labor Relations Board

 

[PloverWing]

I would feel more comfortable if agricultural workers were unionized, as I worry about their pay and working conditions, but I agree that the NLRA does not protect them.