NLRB News: NLRB Chicago Regional Office strengthens collaboration with Illinois Department of Labor and Chicago Commission on Human Relations

The Chicago Regional Office of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is strengthening its collaborative efforts with two local entities, the Chicago Commission on Human Relations and the Illinois Department of Labor. Earlier this month, NLRB Regional Director Peter Sung Ohr and Mona Noriega, Chairman and Commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NLRB’s Chicago Regional Office and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. A similar MOU was signed in March by Regional Director Ohr and Joseph Costigan, the Director of the Illinois Department of Labor.

Each MOU provides that, during interviewing or case processing, if one agency determines that the alleged conduct falls within the jurisdiction of the other agency, the former agency will, with the individual's consent, refer the charge to that other agency. The MOU also provides for cross-training between agencies and for procedures related to sharing information between agencies where appropriate.

The NLRB is an independent federal agency that guarantees the right of most private sector employees to engage in group efforts to improve their wages and working conditions and in collective bargaining, and to refrain from any of these activities.

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