Congress and trade unions Flashcards
What was Congress’ stance at the beginning of the period?
Laissez-faire attitude
What was the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890?
It outlawed business trusts, these were huge companies that came to monopolise trade in a particular product or commodity. The Act also declared illegal any contract or combination that attempted to stop trade.
Positive for unions as it tried to reduce power of employers.
What did the Clayton Antitrust act do in 1914?
It limited the use of court injunctions against striking workers, provided that there was no damaging of property, and allowed peaceful picketing.
Good for workers.
What did Congress give to Roosevelt to deal with the depression?
They gave him 100 days of unprecedented powers to implement a programme of reform that would get Americans back to work.
When did Congress pass the National Industry Recovery Act (NIRA) and what did it do?
16th June 1933.
It established the National Recovery Administration. The aim of NRA was to foster cooperation between different sides of industry by developing agreed codes of practice about issues such as production levels, wage rates, working hours, prices and union rights. Perhaps the most important being the law giving workers the right to organise trade unions and take place in collective bargaining.
BUT, SC declare unconstitutional in 1935.
What was the Wagner Act / National Labour Relations Act? Why was it so significant?
Passed in 1935.
It involved an implicit reduction in control of industrialists over their workforce. The aim was to regulate and reduce labour disputes by providing a structure for collective bargaining.
It was the first piece of national legislation that recognised the right of workers to elect their own representatives to take part in collecting bargaining, It was however declared unconstitutional in 1937 by the Supreme Court.
What and when was the Fair Labour Standards Act of 1938?
It created a $25 minimum weekly wage for industrial workers and a payment of time and a half hours for hours in excess of 40 a week. Also prohibits employment of children under 16.
What was the Taft-Hartley Act (Labour Management Relations Act)?
It was made in 1947 and restrained the power of trade unions and sought to purge organised labour of communists. This weakened the CIO in particular.
It made it illegal for unions to operate a ‘closed shop’ and affirmed the right of states to pass ‘right to work’ laws.
The President could order a 60-day ‘cooling off period’ after strike action.
Truman tried to veto but was unsuccessful.
