Within an NLRB region, who is responsible for the initial decision in an unfair labor practice charge?

Within an NLRB region, who is responsible for the initial decision in an unfair labor practice charge?

• A. Board of Directors
• B. Regional Director
• C. General Counsel
• D. Chairman

Answer: (B)

The main point is who handles the initial step in processing an unfair labor practice charge within a region. In the regional office, the Regional Director reviews the filed charge, conducts the investigation, and decides whether there is enough basis to proceed. If there is, the Regional Director issues a complaint to move the case forward (on behalf of the General Counsel). If there isn’t, the charge is dismissed. The General Counsel directs investigations and prosecutions, but the specific first decision to pursue or dismiss a charge in that region rests with the Regional Director. The Board or its Chairman isn’t the one making that initial regional determination. After a complaint is issued, the case would then go to an Administrative Law Judge for a hearing and an initial merit decision, but that step comes after the Regional Director’s initial ruling.

The main point is who handles the initial step in processing an unfair labor practice charge within a region. In the regional office, the Regional Director reviews the filed charge, conducts the investigation, and decides whether there is enough basis to proceed. If there is, the Regional Director issues a complaint to move the case forward (on behalf of the General Counsel). If there isn’t, the charge is dismissed. The General Counsel directs investigations and prosecutions, but the specific first decision to pursue or dismiss a charge in that region rests with the Regional Director. The Board or its Chairman isn’t the one making that initial regional determination. After a complaint is issued, the case would then go to an Administrative Law Judge for a hearing and an initial merit decision, but that step comes after the Regional Director’s initial ruling.