Labor Management Relations Act
Definition
The Labor Management Relations Act, also known as the Taft-Hartley Act, is a United States federal law passed in 1947 that governs labor relations between employers and labor unions. The act prohibits unfair labor practices by employers and labor unions, establishes procedures for collective bargaining, and regulates certain aspects of union-management relations.
History
The Labor Management Relations Act was passed in 1947 in response to the increasing power of labor unions in the United States. At the time, there were a number of labor disputes occurring in the country, and Congress sought to provide a legal framework to better regulate labor-management relations. The act was introduced by Senator Robert Taft and Congressman Fred Hartley, and was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
Characteristics
The Labor Management Relations Act has several key provisions. It prohibits employers from engaging in unfair labor practices, including interfering with union organization, dominating or interfering with labor unions, or discriminating against employees who participate in union activities. It also permits employers and labor unions to enter into collective bargaining agreements, which are legally binding contracts that set out the terms and conditions of employment. Additionally, the act regulates the use of picketing, strikes, and boycotts by labor unions, and prohibits employers from engaging in certain activities, such as paying employees to break a union.
References
Falk, D. (2018). Labor law: A comprehensive guide. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Gross, B. (2002). The evolution of U.S. labor law since the Taft-Hartley Act. Yale Law Journal, 112(1), 1-38.
Hodgson, D. (2011). The evolution of labor law: A brief history of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Loyola Consumer Law Review, 23(3), 557-571.
National Labor Relations Board. (2020). The Labor Management Relations Act of 1947. Retrieved from https://www.nlrb.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/basic-page/node-3714/Taft-Hartley%20Act.pdf