Labor unions have been a part of the American workforce since colonial times (Cussen, 2012). In their early forms, these unions were craft guilds and mutual aid societies composed of skilled craftsmen, with the aim to restrict entry into a craft and enforce workplace standards (Domhoff, n.d.). As the workplace became more industrialized and skilled labor replaced with mechanized, compartmentalized, lesser skilled workers, skilled craftsmen felt their livelihood threatened (Domhoff, n.d.). Organizations taking advantage of industrialization began cutting wages and increasing work hours (Domhoff, n.d.); developments that early labor unions fought against.
In the latter part of the 19th century, industrialization continued to be an issue for the labor force. To compound this issue, immigration/migration during this time brought a constant supply of lesser/unskilled labor …show more content…
However, due to loopholes that did not require businesses to recognize union rights, they were ineffective (Adler, 2006). In 1935, Congress passed one of the most important pieces of labor legislations in the U.S.- the National Labor Relations Act or Wagner Act (after the sponsoring senator, Robert F. Wagner of New York) (Wagner Act, 2016). This act delineated the rights of workers to organize or join a labor union and bargain with their employer for better pay and working conditions; additionally, this law made it illegal for employers to discriminate against unionized workers, prevent employees from unionizing, or to refuse to bargain with a certified union (Adler, 2006). This act also formed the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) who was charged with “issuing rules and regulations investigating unfair labor practices, prosecuting such illegal conduct and conducting secret ballot elections to determine union representations” (Adler,
In the latter part of the 19th century, industrialization continued to be an issue for the labor force. To compound this issue, immigration/migration during this time brought a constant supply of lesser/unskilled labor …show more content…
However, due to loopholes that did not require businesses to recognize union rights, they were ineffective (Adler, 2006). In 1935, Congress passed one of the most important pieces of labor legislations in the U.S.- the National Labor Relations Act or Wagner Act (after the sponsoring senator, Robert F. Wagner of New York) (Wagner Act, 2016). This act delineated the rights of workers to organize or join a labor union and bargain with their employer for better pay and working conditions; additionally, this law made it illegal for employers to discriminate against unionized workers, prevent employees from unionizing, or to refuse to bargain with a certified union (Adler, 2006). This act also formed the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) who was charged with “issuing rules and regulations investigating unfair labor practices, prosecuting such illegal conduct and conducting secret ballot elections to determine union representations” (Adler,