The National Labor Relations Act primarily protects workers' rights to what?

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), passed in 1935, is primarily designed to protect the rights of workers and their ability to organize. This legislation guarantees workers the right to form and join labor unions, engage in collective bargaining for better working conditions, wages, and other benefits, and participate in other concerted activities for mutual aid or protection.

By ensuring that employees can organize without fear of retaliation from employers, the act establishes a framework whereby workers can collectively advocate for their interests and negotiate more effectively than they would as individuals. Organizing is fundamental to the strength and function of unions, enabling members to present a united front when addressing their needs and concerns with employers.

The other options, while related to worker rights, do not encapsulate the primary focus of the NLRA. Voting in elections pertains more to civic rights, working overtime concerns employer policies and labor laws beyond the scope of unionization, and negotiating salaries is part of collective bargaining but does not capture the overarching right to organize that the NLRA emphasizes.