Which U.S. labor law gives workers the right to discuss wages with coworkers?

The National Labor Relations Act gives U.S. workers the right to discuss wages with coworkers as protected concerted activity.

Section 7 of the act protects employees who act together to improve wages, hours, and working conditions. That protection generally includes discussing pay with coworkers, organizing, joining a union, and seeking workplace changes. Section 8 identifies employer conduct that can unlawfully interfere with those rights.

The National Labor Relations Board administers and enforces the act for covered private-sector employees. The statute does not cover every worker: exclusions include many public employees, agricultural workers, domestic workers, supervisors, and independent contractors.

The right to discuss wages is different from a general minimum-wage rule. The Fair Labor Standards Act sets federal wage and hour standards, while the National Labor Relations Act protects collective workplace activity and union-related rights.