National Labor Relations Act of 1935

National Labor Relations Act of 1935
U.S. Government · Public domain · source
Shorttitle	National Labor Relations Act of 1935
Longtitle	An Act to diminish the causes of labor disputes burdening or obstructing interstate and foreign commerce, to create a National Labor Relations Board, and for other purposes
Enactedby	74th United States Congress
Citations	29 U.S.C. § 151-169
Signeddate	July 5, 1935
Signedby	Franklin D. Roosevelt

Contents

National Labor Relations Act of 1935 was a landmark legislation passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt, with the goal of protecting the rights of trade unions and promoting fair labor practices, as advocated by John L. Lewis and the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The Act was a key component of Roosevelt's New Deal program, which aimed to address the economic and social challenges of the Great Depression, with the support of Frances Perkins and the National Industrial Recovery Act. The legislation was influenced by the Norris-LaGuardia Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act, and was shaped by the experiences of labor leaders such as Samuel Gompers and Mary Harris Jones.

Introduction

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 was designed to promote industrial peace and stability by encouraging collective bargaining and protecting the rights of workers to form and join labor unions, as recognized by the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The Act established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which was tasked with investigating and resolving labor disputes, and was modeled after the Federal Trade Commission and the National Mediation Board. The NLRB was composed of members appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the United States Senate, and was influenced by the Federal Labor Relations Authority and the National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation. The Act also defined and prohibited unfair labor practices, such as discrimination and coercion, as addressed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 was the result of a long and contentious struggle between labor unions and employers, with key events including the Lawrence Textile Strike and the West Virginia Coal Strike, which involved labor leaders such as Mary Harris Jones and Frank Hayes. The Act was influenced by the Industrial Workers of the World and the American Federation of Labor, and was shaped by the experiences of workers such as Mother Jones and Eugene Debs. The legislation was also shaped by the Supreme Court of the United States, which had previously ruled on labor-related cases such as Lochner v. New York and Adkins v. Children's Hospital, and was influenced by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union. The Act was signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 5, 1935, and was implemented with the support of Frances Perkins and the United States Department of Labor.

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 established several key provisions, including the right of workers to form and join labor unions, as recognized by the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Labor Relations Authority. The Act also prohibited unfair labor practices, such as discrimination and coercion, as addressed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Act established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which was tasked with investigating and resolving labor disputes, and was modeled after the Federal Trade Commission and the National Mediation Board. The NLRB was composed of members appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the United States Senate, and was influenced by the Federal Labor Relations Authority and the National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation. The Act also defined and prohibited unfair labor practices, such as interference and restraint, as addressed by the National Labor Relations Act of 1947 and the Labor Management Relations Act.

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 had a significant impact on the labor movement in the United States, with key effects including the growth of labor unions such as the United Auto Workers and the United Steelworkers, which were influenced by labor leaders such as Walter Reuther and Philip Murray. The Act also led to improved working conditions and higher wages for workers, as recognized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The legislation was influenced by the Great Depression and the New Deal, and was shaped by the experiences of workers such as John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway. The Act was also influenced by the Supreme Court of the United States, which had previously ruled on labor-related cases such as National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation and National Labor Relations Board v. Fansteel Metallurgical Corporation, and was influenced by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union.

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 has undergone several amendments and reforms since its passage, including the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, which was influenced by the Taft-Hartley Act and the Landrum-Griffin Act. The Act has also been amended by the National Labor Relations Act of 1947 and the Labor Law Reform Act of 1978, which were influenced by the Federal Labor Relations Authority and the National Mediation Board. The legislation has been shaped by the experiences of labor leaders such as George Meany and Lane Kirkland, and has been influenced by the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win Federation. The Act has also been influenced by the Supreme Court of the United States, which has ruled on labor-related cases such as National Labor Relations Board v. Yeshiva University and Communications Workers of America v. Beck, and has been shaped by the experiences of workers such as Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 is enforced by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which is composed of members appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. The NLRB is responsible for investigating and resolving labor disputes, and is modeled after the Federal Trade Commission and the National Mediation Board. The Board is also responsible for conducting elections to determine whether a labor union has the support of a majority of workers, as recognized by the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The NLRB has been influenced by the Federal Labor Relations Authority and the National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation, and has been shaped by the experiences of labor leaders such as John L. Lewis and Walter Reuther. The Act has also been influenced by the Supreme Court of the United States, which has ruled on labor-related cases such as National Labor Relations Board v. Yeshiva University and Communications Workers of America v. Beck, and has been shaped by the experiences of workers such as Mother Jones and Eugene Debs. Category:United States labor law