Does the NLC affect states’ collective bargaining rights/facilitate strikebreaking?
The NLC does not impact the statutory authority at the federal or state level for collective bargaining. There is little or no practical difference in the ability of employers to bring in licensed nurses from other jurisdictions under the NLC or by endorsement. NCSBN does not believe that the NLC facilitates strikebreaking. However, to the extent an individual state believes the compact might do so, language can be included in the enabling legislation explicitly stating that the NLC does not supersede any existing state labor laws. As a matter of public policy, boards of nursing do not consider where or in what circumstances a qualified nurse plans to practice. This is true of traditional state licensing; it is also true of nurses practicing under the NLC. The reality is that the turnaround time to grant a temporary permit or temporary license is a matter of days in most states. The initiation of a strike is typically an event of last resort that mandates prior notice to affected facil
