What Happens When You Have a Functioning Labor Relations Boards

For years, the NLRB could do nothing about employers blatantly breaking laws protecting workers from exploitation and abuse. That's because repugs in Congress refused to allow President Obama to fill vacant position on the board. Finally this summer they grudgingly allowed the appointments, and this is the first significant result.

Bryce Covert at Think Progress:

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal agency that protects workers’ rights to organize and demand better conditions, will announce a decision today to prosecute Walmart for violating workers’ rights by firing, disciplining, and threatening workers who went on strike or attempted to unionize, according to OUR Walmart, the group that has been helping to organize the strikes.

The group says the NLRB will prosecute the company for illegally firing and disciplining more than 117 workers, including some who went on strike last June. It also includes threats by managers and spokespeople meant to discourage workers from striking. Workers could potentially see back pay, reinstatement to their former positions, and the reversal of disciplinary actions.