Final answer:
There are protected and unprotected strikes under the NLRA. Protected strikes include economic, unfair labor practice, and recognitional strikes. Unprotected strikes include wildcat strikes and those that happen in violation of a no-strike agreement or in the public sector.
Step-by-step explanation:
Not all forms of strikes are protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
The types of strikes that are generally protected under the Wagner Act, which is part of the NLRA, include economic strikes, unfair labor practice strikes, and recognitional strikes.
Economic strikes occur when workers seek better wages, hours, or working conditions.
Unfair labor practice strikes take place in response to an employer's illegal activities, such as violating workers' rights to organize.
Recognitional strikes are those aiming to gain recognition for the union from the employer.
Unprotected strikes include wildcat strikes, which happen without union authorization, and striking for reasons deemed unlawful or violating a no-strike agreement.
Public sector strikes are often illegal due to the potential disruption to society.
The NLRA was designed to balance the power dynamics in employer-employee negotiations and to protect workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively, which justifies differing legal protections for types of strikes.
The establishment of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) helps to decide disputes between unions and employers, enforcing this balance.