§152 Definitions

Summary

Defines important words used in this part of the law so people know what the words mean. Person means one or more people or legal entities like companies, unions, partnerships, trustees, or receivers. Employer means anyone acting for an employer, but it does not include the United States, wholly owned government corporations, Federal Reserve Banks, state or local governments, people covered by the Railway Labor Act, or labor organizations unless they are acting as the employer. Employee covers most workers, including those out of work because of a labor dispute or unfair labor practice who have not found similar work, but it excludes farm workers, domestic workers in a home, family members working for each other, independent contractors, supervisors, and people covered by the Railway Labor Act or anyone who is not an employer as defined. Representatives means an individual or a labor organization. Labor organization means any group or plan where employees take part to deal with employers about pay, hours, or working conditions. Commerce means trade or movement that crosses state lines, involves Washington, D.C., U.S. territories, or foreign countries, or goes through them. Affecting commerce means something that occurs in commerce or that harms or blocks the free flow of commerce or leads to a labor dispute that does. Unfair labor practice refers to the unlawful acts named elsewhere in the law. Labor dispute means any disagreement about hiring, firing, pay, hours, working conditions, or who represents workers. National Labor Relations Board means the Board the law creates. Supervisor means a person who has real authority over hiring, firing, discipline, assignments, promotions, or handling grievances. Professional employee is a category the law defines. Whether someone is an agent of another is decided by the overall facts, not only by whether specific acts were formally approved. Health care institution includes hospitals, nursing homes, HMOs, clinics, and similar places that care for sick or elderly people.