Federal government Flashcards
Outline the Pullman Strike and how government responded to it.
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 which restricted monopolies was an exception to government favouring employers. At the Pullman Strike the government issued an injunction which stopped people from interfering with mail movement. President Cleveland then sent 2000 federal troops to ensure movement of mail, 4 strikers killed. The Supreme Court legalised injunctions and passed the Omnibus Indictment Act which prohibited strikers and workers’ representatives from persuading striking. Reversed with 1935 Wagner Act.
What was the Clayton Anti-Trust Act?
1914 Clayton Anti-Trust Act reduced injunctions and allowed peaceful picketing. Lack of legislation allowed employers to reduce wages and lay workers off during depression. During WWI the government established the NWLB to negotiate with unions preventing striking from reducing production. Samuel Gompers of AFL urged his workers to not strike during war.
What act passed after WWII?
During WWII the NWLB was re-established and this led to a rise of membership in unions. Government action improved workers position but this was due to their vital efforts. After WWII the Republicans gained a powerful position and in 1947 the Taft-Hartley Act was passed restraining union power. They sought to reduce the power of Communists who they felt dominated the labour movement.
What Supreme Court rulings hurt labour?
1905 Lochner v New York – Supreme Court ruled that the hours a baker could work each day did not need to be restricted. Up to WWII the Supreme Court passed…
1915 Coppage v Kansas allowed yellow-dog contracts.
Adkins v Children’s Hospital 1923 stated minimum wage laws violated due process clause.
When was NIRA unconstitutional?
1935 NIRA was made unconstitutional. The Schechter Brothers produced chickens unfit for human consumption and NIRA prosecuted them for breaking codes. The court ruled that federal government could not intervene in individual state affairs regarding firms.
What acts did Roosevelt pass during ND?
16 June 1933 National Industry Recovery Act such NRA and would set codes on production, wage rates, hours and so forth. Workers allowed to join unions. By 1934 557 codes. Henry Ford refused to sign. 1935 saw National Labor Relations Act passed by Robert Wagner, established right of collective bargaining and spies/blacklisting banned. NLRB could reinstate those unfairly dismissed. Fair Labour Standards Act 1938 gave $25 min wage weekly and extra payment for overtime. Trade union members rose from 3.7 mil in 1933 to 9 mil by 1938.
What did JFK do?
John F Kennedy introduced his New Frontier to target domestic/foreign policy and improve welfare. Congress worked slowly however and he met opposition. By November 1963 he had promised a civil rights bill but he did little to challenge conservatives over free education and healthcare.
What did LBJ do?
Lyndon B Johnson entered in 1964 as President with a Democrat majority in Congress. His Great Society was made to redistribute wealth. He set Office of Economic Opportunity to provide free nursery schools for disadvantaged children and Job Corps for vocational training. In 1959 there were 40 mil poor families falling to 25 mil by 1968.1963 Equal Pay Act, 1964 Civil Rights Act to protect African Americans and Hispanics, Economic Opportunity Act 1964 to provide funds to train people, Age Discrimination Act of 1968 to prevent discrimination between ages 40-65.
What did Nixon and Carter do?
President Richard Nixon in 1970 passed Occupational Safety and Health Act to concern the safety of workers and reduce hazardous and insanitary conditions in employment with the Department of Labor passing standards. Carter established minimum wage but failed unions by not reforming the National Labor Relations Act.
When did Reagan become President and what did he do?
In 1981 Reagan became president. He reduced restrictions and poor families missed out on welfare. Unemployment and inflation were at lower rates as Reagan privatised business improving their position.
Outline PATCO strike.
1981 PATCO strike. 3 August 1981 saw 13,000 out PATCO walk out and strike wanting a $10,000 wage rise and reduction in hours. The strike went against a 1955 Act forbidding government workers from going on strike. Reagan said workers who didn’t return in 48 hours would have contracts terminated. 3000 supervisors sped up flights and training for new controllers. PATCO strike caused anger as workers broke the law and ignored court injunctions. Saw decline in strikes and union membership. Reagan chose appointments for Labor Relations Board.
