This pamphlet contains a general explanation of
what the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
is and what it does concerning the processing of
representation petitions. For future information,
contact the nearest NLRB office and ask to
speak with the Information Officer.
What is the
National Labor Relations Board?
We are an independent Federal agency estab
lished 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 exer
cise 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 lo
cated. All Regional Offices have petition forms
that are available on request and without cost.
Types of Petitions
1) 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 sig
natures of 30 percent or more of the
2
employees in the bargaining unit being
sought. These signatures may be on paper.
Generally, this designation or ‘‘showing of
interest’’ contains a statement that the
employees want to be represented for col
lective-bargaining purposes by a specific
labor organization. The showing of interest
must be signed by each employee and
each employee’s signature must be dated.
2) Decertification (RD)
This petition, which can be filed by an indi
vidual, seeks an election to determine
whether the authority of a union to act as
a bargaining representative of employees
should continue. It must be supported by
the signatures of 30 percent or more of the
employees in the bargaining unit rep
resented by the union. These signatures
may be on separate