Representation / Discrimination / Union & Concerted Activity Representation
Representation · Discrimination

Union & Concerted Activity Representation

Federal labor law protects your right to organize, support a union, and act together with coworkers over pay and working conditions — even where there is no union. If you were punished for it, Thurgood represents employees in unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB.

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What it can look like

Signs of unlawful labor retaliation

It’s an unfair labor practice to punish employees for protected organizing or concerted activity. Common signs:

  • Fired or disciplined for organizing

    You were written up, suspended, or terminated after supporting or talking up a union.

  • Punished for group complaints

    You and coworkers raised pay, safety, or scheduling concerns together — and you were singled out.

  • Threats, interrogation, or surveillance

    Your employer threatened consequences, questioned you, or watched you over union activity.

  • Rules that chill activity

    Policies barred discussing pay or talking with coworkers about working conditions.

  • Benefits used as leverage

    Perks were promised to discourage — or withheld to punish — protected activity.

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What we do — first

We negotiate a settlement with your employer

Settling directly with your employer is where we focus and where we specialize. Most matters can be resolved right here — privately, and faster than any filing.

  • Refine your story so it lands

    We help you shape what happened into a clear, credible account that translates to the people deciding your case.

  • Strategize the approach

    We read how the company and their attorney open discussions, and adapt our strategy to the way they negotiate.

  • Organize the evidence for impact

    We identify the documentation that matters most and arrange it for maximum impact to close a deal.

What we do — if needed

If we can’t settle, we file and represent you

When a settlement can’t be reached up front, we pursue an award through the agency — and stay with you through every step of that process.

  • Prepare your filing

    We convert your story and evidence into formal charge documents written to the agency’s standards.

  • Represent your interests with the agency

    We become your point of contact, handling communications and deadlines throughout.

  • Prepare you for the investigator interview

    We get you ready for the agency investigator’s questions so you can tell your account with confidence.

  • Prepare you for fact-finding conferences

    We ready you for the conference where both sides present their version of events.

  • Prepare you for administrative law hearings

    If your case reaches a hearing before an administrative law judge, we prepare you for that too.

The federal process

Filing a charge with the NLRB

Union and concerted-activity claims go to the National Labor Relations Board — not the EEOC — and the clock is short:

Agency: NLRBDeadline: 6 monthsCovers: Most private employers
  1. 01

    A charge is filed

    An unfair labor practice charge is filed with your NLRB regional office, generally within 6 months of the violation.

  2. 02

    Investigation

    The region investigates whether the charge has merit, taking statements and gathering evidence.

  3. 03

    Complaint or settlement

    If it has merit, the region issues a complaint or works toward a settlement.

  4. 04

    Hearing before an ALJ

    A contested case is heard by a National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge.

  5. 05

    Board review & remedies

    The Board can order reinstatement, back pay, and notice posting — enforced in court if needed.

Common questions

Frequently asked

No. The NLRA protects “concerted activity” — two or more employees acting together about pay or working conditions — whether or not a union is involved.

An unfair labor practice charge must generally be filed with the NLRB within 6 months of the violation — a short window, so it’s best to act quickly.

Generally no. Rules that bar employees from discussing wages or working conditions with each other can themselves be unlawful under the NLRA.

No. NLRB charges can be filed and pursued by an authorized non-attorney representative — Thurgood represents you through the process.

Remedies can include reinstatement, back pay, and required notices. Outcomes depend on the facts, and no one can promise a result.

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