Which agency is responsible for investigating and addressing unfair labor practices in the United States?

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is the agency tasked with investigating and addressing unfair labor practices in the United States. Established by the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, the NLRB serves as an independent federal agency that oversees the rights of private sector employees to engage in collective bargaining and to organize. It investigates complaints from employees or unions regarding practices by employers that may infringe upon their rights, such as interference in union activities or retaliation against employees for union involvement.

The NLRB has the authority to conduct hearings and make determinations on cases of alleged unfair labor practices, ensuring that workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively are protected. This distinguished role sets the NLRB apart from other agencies that deal with different aspects of labor relations or worker rights, such as the FTC, which focuses on consumer protection and competition, OSHA, which oversees workplace safety, and the Department of Labor, which has a broader mission that encompasses various employment issues but does not specifically focus on labor relations and union practices.