UNAC/UHCP Language on Open Wage and Benefit Sharing Makes NRLA Posting Final Rule

August 2011

The National Labor Relations Board has issued a Final Rule that will require employers to notify employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act as of November 14, 2011. Private-sector employers (including labor organizations) whose workplaces fall under the National Labor Relations Act will be required to post the employee rights notice where other workplace notices are typically posted.

During the public comments period, UNAC/UHCP submitted a valuable suggestion that was included in the final rule. Originally the posting said workers had the right to discuss terms and conditions of employment without elaboration; UNAC/UHCP suggested that “wages and benefits” be expressly added because many unrepresented employees do not know they have this basic right. Now, the posting will read, “Under the NLRA, you have a right to: Discuss your wages and benefits and other terms and conditions of employment or union organizing with your co-workers or a union.”

Your basic rights under the National Labor Relations Act are listed on this PDF. (Note: this is not the specific language that will be used in the required work site posting.)

Under the NLRA, you have the right to:
• Organize a union to negotiate with your employer concerning your wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
• Form, join or assist a union.
• Bargain collectively through representatives of employees’ own choosing for a contract with your employer setting your wages, benefits, hours, and other working conditions.
• Discuss your terms and conditions of employment or union organizing with your co-workers or a union.
• Take action with one or more co-workers to improve your working conditions by, among other means, raising work-related complaints directly with your employer or with a government agency, and seeking help from a union.
• Strike and picket, depending on the purpose or means of the strike or the picketing.
• Choose not to do any of these activities, including joining or remaining a member of a union.