U.S. labor laws and regulations are made through a complex process. There is not just one body or department that makes rules governing the workplace. They come from Congressional action, rulings by administrative agencies and court decisions. Additional regulations and laws are enacted by state legislatures and agencies for their particular state. Here are some of the most powerful bodies making decisions on labor relations.
Enacting Labor Laws in Congress
Congress is responsible for making laws in the U.S. They also may need the approval of the President. This article explains how the process works. Basically, labor issues are handled by two key committees. On the House of Representatives side, there is the Committee on Education and Labor and on the Senate side, there is the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
The House Committee on Education and Labor focuses on the following labor issues:
- Worker safety and health
- Employee free choice on unions
- Raising the minimum wage
- Retirement and pensions
- Worker rights
- Competitive workforce
- Wages and benefits
- Wages
- Hours of employment
- Mining health and safety
- Workplace health and safety
- Employment-based discrimination
- Union / management relations
- Workforce and employment trends
- Updating law and regulations to the changing workplace
- Private retirement plans
- Keeping pension plans in place despite financial problems
- Railroad retirement
Federal Departments, Agencies
After labor laws are enacted, they are implemented and interpreted by several federal departments and agencies. Here are some of the major ones:
U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor administers and enforces a variety of federal labor laws including those on safe working conditions, minimum hourly wage, overtime pay, discrimination and income support. It has a system of administrative judges that handle many labor issues. The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulates employee safety and health at workplaces.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The EEOC handles complaints of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and age.
National Labor Relations Board
The NLRB has two primary functions: Rule on unfair labor practices, whether committed by labor organizations or employers. Determine whether groups of employees want to be represented by a labor organization for collective-bargaining, and if so, which union. The NLRB has a five-member governing board that acts as a quasi-judicial body deciding labor issues.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
The USCIS is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization. It handles, among other programs, employment authorization and employment-related immigration. It used to be known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
Courts
Federal courts interpret various labor laws. Here is an article that explain how the court system works.
State Resources
Each state also has one or more main department or agency that handles labor issues. Here are some initial contacts. States also have officials who hear cases relating to workers’ compensation. Here is a list.
