federal gov attitudes and actions including significance of Reagen era

Question 1

summary

4 points

Answer 1

1. intervened in economy only at times of emergency
2. usually adopted laissez-faire policy (no intervention)
3. many employers exploited employees and denied them opportunities to complain
4. gov upheld capitalism and allowed big businesses to flourish

Question 2

The Sherman Anti-Trust Act 1890

2 points

Answer 2

1. gov intervened to restrict monopolies by which large companies were able to control trade
2. went against usual policy but government was concerned about companies controlling or stopping trade

Question 3

The Pullman strike 1894

3 points

Answer 3

1. nationwide railroad strike
2. economic depression - Pullman company
   cut wages by a 1/4
   made 1/3 of workforce redundant
3. gov supported employers
   - injunction which stopped anyone interfering with movement of mail
   - president Cleveland sent federal troops to break up strike
   - SC legalised use of injunction which declared strike illegal
   - issued Omnibus Indictment Act to prevent strikers and workers trying to persuade others to strike

Question 4

Supreme Court

4 points

Answer 4

1. Lochner v. New York 1905
   didn’t uphold legislation to limit number of working hours
2. Coppage v Kansas 1915
   allow yellow-dog contracts (employers cant join unions)
3. Adkins v. Children’s Hospital 1923
   stops minimum wage
4. NIRA unconstitutional 1935
   right to organise unions and take part in collective bargaining

Question 5

Clayton Antitrust Act 1914 and WW1

3 points

Answer 5

1. to maintain production during war passed act which limited use of injunctions and allowed peaceful picketing
2. did not stop employers reducing wages or laying off workers
3. gov established National War Labor Boar NWLB to negotiate with unions 1918 - more to do with maintaining production than supporting unions

Question 6

Roosevelt and the New Deal

6 points

Answer 6

1. most help for workers from an administration
2. to combat high level of unemployment and industrial unrest - legislation
3. National Industry Recovery Act 1933
   workers right to organise unions
   take part in collective bargaining

4.Wagner Act 1935
legal right to organise and join unions

5.National Labor Relations Board NLRB 1935
prevent unfair labour practices

6. Fair Labor Standards Act 1938
   established a minimum wage

Question 7

WW2

2 points

Answer 7

1. government established NWLB 1942

2. not due to supporting unions but maintaining production

Question 8

post war period

4 points

Answer 8

1. republican election victory 1946
2. many felt unions gained too much
3. power reduced with Taft Hartley Act 1947
4. unions viewed with suspicion during Red scare - many believing hotbeds for communism

Question 9

60s and 70s

3 points

Answer 9

1. only time outside of war and national emergencies when gov advance position of workers
2. legislation brought as part of wider CRM
   Equal Pay Act 1963 (men and women)
   Civil Rights Act 1964 (ban discrimination in employment)
   Age Discrimination Act 1968 (40+)
3. Nixon
   Occupational safety and Health Act 1970 (health and safety standards)

Question 10

impact of president Reagan

3 points

Answer 10

1. presidential influence played its greatest role in reducing union power under Reagans presidency in 80s
2. aimed to remove restrictions that hindered industry
3. intervention seen most clearly in PACTO strike 1981
   threatens to end contracts
   11,000 fired
   speeds up training programme to replace
   - some argue it played crucial role in decline in strikes and union membership which followed