National Labor Relations Act

National Labor Relations Act
source
Shorttitle	National Labor Relations Act
Longtitle	An Act to diminish the causes of labor disputes burdening or obstructing interstate and foreign commerce
Enactedby	73rd United States Congress
Citations	Public Law 74-198
Effective	July 5, 1935
Introducedby	Robert F. Wagner
Related	Fair Labor Standards Act, Labor Management Relations Act

National Labor Relations Act is a federal law that protects the rights of employees in the United States to form and join labor unions, engage in collective bargaining, and strike. The law was enacted in 1935, during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was a major component of the New Deal program, which aimed to reform the United States economy and protect the rights of workers. The law has been amended several times, including by the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, also known as the Taft-Hartley Act, and the Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959. The law is enforced by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an independent federal agency established by the law, with the support of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the Department of Labor.

Introduction

The National Labor Relations Act was introduced by Senator Robert F. Wagner of New York and was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 5, 1935. The law was a response to the growing labor unrest and strikes that were occurring across the United States, including the Lawrence Textile Strike and the West Coast waterfront strike, which involved International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Industrial Workers of the World. The law established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to enforce the law and protect the rights of employees to form and join labor unions, such as the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win Federation. The law also established the Federal Labor Relations Authority to oversee labor relations in the federal government, including the United States Postal Service and the Department of Defense.

History

The National Labor Relations Act was passed in response to the growing labor movement in the United States, which was led by labor leaders such as Samuel Gompers, John L. Lewis, and Mary Harris Jones. The law was also influenced by the Great Depression and the New Deal program, which aimed to reform the United States economy and protect the rights of workers. The law was supported by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Labor Secretary Frances Perkins, who played a key role in its passage. The law has been amended several times, including by the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, which was sponsored by Senator Robert A. Taft and Representative Fred A. Hartley Jr., and the Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959, which was sponsored by Senator Philip Hart and Representative Robert P. Griffin. The law has also been influenced by Supreme Court decisions, such as National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation and Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer.

Provisions

The National Labor Relations Act establishes the right of employees to form and join labor unions, engage in collective bargaining, and strike. The law also prohibits employers from interfering with the formation of labor unions or discriminating against employees who engage in union activities, such as picketing and boycotting. The law requires employers to bargain in good faith with labor unions and to provide employees with a fair and safe working environment, as mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The law also establishes the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to enforce the law and protect the rights of employees, with the support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The law applies to most private sector employers, including corporations such as General Motors and Ford Motor Company, as well as non-profit organizations such as hospitals and universities.

Administration

The National Labor Relations Act is administered by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which is an independent federal agency established by the law. The NLRB is responsible for enforcing the law and protecting the rights of employees to form and join labor unions, engage in collective bargaining, and strike. The NLRB is composed of five members, who are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. The NLRB has regional offices across the United States, including in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and works closely with other federal agencies, such as the Department of Labor and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The NLRB also works with state labor departments, such as the California Department of Industrial Relations and the New York State Department of Labor, to enforce state labor laws.

Impact

The National Labor Relations Act has had a significant impact on the labor movement in the United States, leading to the growth of labor unions such as the United Auto Workers and the Service Employees International Union. The law has also led to improvements in working conditions and wages for employees, particularly in industries such as manufacturing and construction. The law has been influential in shaping labor laws in other countries, including Canada and Australia, and has been cited as a model for international labor standards by organizations such as the International Labour Organization and the European Union. The law has also been the subject of controversy and debate, with some arguing that it has led to an increase in labor costs and a decrease in competitiveness for United States businesses, such as Wal-Mart and McDonald's.

Amendments

The National Labor Relations Act has been amended several times since its passage in 1935, including by the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 and the Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959. The law has also been influenced by Supreme Court decisions, such as National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation and Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer. The law has been the subject of ongoing debate and controversy, with some arguing that it should be amended to provide greater protections for employees and others arguing that it should be amended to provide greater flexibility for employers, such as small businesses and startups. The law continues to play an important role in shaping the labor movement in the United States and protecting the rights of employees to form and join labor unions, engage in collective bargaining, and strike, with the support of organizations such as the AFL-CIO and the National Employment Law Project. Category:United States labor law