What is the National Labor Relations Board?
We are an independent Federal agency established to enforce the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). As an independent agency, we are not part of any other government agency-such as the Department of Labor. Congress has empowered the NLRB to conduct secret-ballot elections so employees may exercise a free choice whether a union should rep-resent them for bargaining purposes. A secret-ballot election will be conducted only when a petition requesting an election is filed. Such a petition should be filed with the Regional Office in the area where the unit of employees is located. All Regional Offices have petition forms that are available on request and without cost. Types of Petitions Certification of Representative (RC) This petition, which is normally filed by a union, seeks an election to determine whether employees wish to be represented by a union. It must be supported by the signatures of 30 percent or more of the employees in the bargaining unit being sought. These signatures may
