What is the purpose of Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act?

Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is specifically designed to protect the rights of employees to organize, join labor organizations, and engage in collective bargaining. This section provides employees the legal foundation to come together, form unions, and negotiate with their employers regarding their working conditions, wages, and other employment-related issues. By safeguarding these rights, Section 7 aims to ensure that workers can collectively voice their interests and represent their needs in the workplace without facing discrimination or retaliation from their employers.

The other options address different aspects of labor laws or economic conditions that are not the focus of Section 7. Workplace safety is typically regulated under separate provisions, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Limits on hours worked pertain to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and do not specifically relate to the rights of employees to organize. Lastly, while encouraging competition among businesses is important for a healthy economy, it does not fall under the protective scope of the NLRA and its specific provisions for labor relations.