There was a time in U.S. history when labor unions played an essential role in protecting the safety and well-being of working men and women. Unions saw their greatest growth in the early 20th century, as workers in large numbers sought protection from harsh working conditions and other forms of exploitation in the workplace.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, unemployment was high and workers’ standard of living was declining. Partly in response to these conditions, the National Labor Relations Act was passed in 1935. Also known as the Wagner Act, this law ensured workers’ right to organize unions, engage in collective bargaining, and take part in strikes. Companion legislation, the Fair Labor Standards Act, established a minimum wage, maximum work hours and overtime pay.
A little more than a decade later, largely in response to the disruptive impact on the nation’s economy of major strikes during World War II and the postwar years, Congress passed the Labor-Management Relations Act in 1947. Also known as the Taft-Hartley Act, this law provided rights to employers, established union unfair labor practices, and included provisions designed to reduce the impact of labor strikes on "the full flow of commerce."
Over time, federal labor law has created a balance
In the 70-plus year since then, a balance between the rights of employers and the rights of workers has taken hold as our nation’s labor law system has evolved. During that time, federal law has emerged as the primary mechanism for solving critical workplace problems and protecting workers and their rights.
Civil Rights Act ... Equal Pay Act ... Americans with Disabilities Act ... Age Discrimination in Employment Act ... Occupational Safety And Health Act ... Family and Medical Leave Act ... Fair Labor Standards Act ... Fair Minimum Wage Act. All of these landmark labor laws were crafted to address serious workplace problems and to protect union and nonunion workers alike.
If essential worker protections are being secured through federal legislation that effectively balances the concerns of employers and employees . . . what is the real motivation behind the drive to impose a Card Check process that would effectively eliminate time-honored secret ballot elections?
CLICK HERE for one theory about why the drive to pass EFCA is so important to organized labor.