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The Clayton Act
In response to pressure to clarify labor's position under untitrust
laws, Congress, in 1914, enacted the Clayton Act, which included
several major provisions protective of organized labor. The Act stated that "the labor of a human being is not commodity or
article of commerce," -
Davis-Bacon Act
In 1931, Congress passed the Davis-Bacon Act, requiring that contracts
for construction entered into by the Federal Government specify the
minimum wages to be paid to persons employed under those contracts. -
National Industry Recovery Act
In 1933, Congress passed the National Industry Recovery Act (NRA) at
the request of newly inaugurated President Franklin Roosevelt. The Act
sought to provide codes of "fair competition" and to fix wages and
hours in industries subscribing to such codes. -
The Wagner Act
By far the most important labor legislation of the 1930s was the
National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935, more popularly known as
the Wagner Act, after its sponsor, Sen. Robert F. Wagner (NY-D). This
law included reenactment of the previously invalidated labor sections
of the NRA as well as a number of additions. -
Walsh-Healy Act
Passed in 1936, the Walsh-Healy Act stated that workers must be
paid not less than the "prevailing minimum wage" normally paid in a
locality; restricted regular work ing hours to eight hours a day and
40 hours a week, with time-and-a-half pay for additional hours;
prohibited the employment of convicts and children under 18; and
established sanitation and safety standards. -
Taft-Hartley Act
It was not until two years after the close of World War II that
the first major modification of the National Labor Relations Act was
enacted. In 1947, the Labor-Management Relations Act -- also known as
the Taft-Hartley Act, after its two sponsors, Sen. Robert A. Taft
(OH-R) and Rep. Fred A. Hartley, Jr. (NJ-R) -- was passed by
Congress, Vetoed by President Truman (on the basis that it was
anti-Labor), and then reapproved over his veto. This comprehensive
measure: (*) established procedures fo -
The Immigration and Nationality Act
Under the INA, employers may hire only persons who may legally work in the United States and aliens authorized to work in the U.S. The employer must verify the identity and employment eligibility of anyone to be hired. -
Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA)
The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) of 1959 (also known as the Landrum-Griffin Act) deals with the relationship between a union and its members. It protects union funds and promotes union democracy by requiring labor organizations to file annual financial reports, by requiring union officials, employers, and labor consultants to file reports regarding certain labor relations practices, and by establishing standards for the election of union officers. The act is administered -
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act
The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act is administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Safety and health conditions in most private industries are regulated by OSHA or OSHA-approved state programs, which also cover public sector employers. Employers covered by the OSH Act must comply with the regulations and the safety and health standards promulgated by OSHA. Employers also have a general duty under the OSH Act to provide their empl -
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) regulates employers who offer pension or welfare benefit plans for their employees. Title I of ERISA is administered by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) (formerly the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration) and imposes a wide range of fiduciary, disclosure and reporting requirements on fiduciaries of pension and welfare benefit plans and on others having dealings with these plans. These provisions preempt many similar s -
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act
The Mine Act holds mine operators responsible for the safety and health of miners; provides for the setting of mandatory safety and health standards, mandates miners' training requirements; prescribes penalties for violations; and enables inspectors to close dangerous mines. The safety and health standards address numerous hazards including roof falls, flammable and explosive gases, fire, electricity, equipment rollovers and maintenance, airborne contaminants, noise, and respirable dust. MSHA en -
Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
The MSPA safeguards most migrant and seasonal agricultural workers in their interactions with farm labor contractors, agricultural employers, agricultural associations, and providers of migrant housing. -
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Administered by the Wage and Hour Division, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers of 50 or more employees to give up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for the birth or adoption of a child or for the serious illness of the employee or a spouse, child or parent. -
The Fair Labor Standards Act
FLSA establishes standards for minimum wages and overtime pay. The FLSA requires employers of covered employees who are not otherwise exempt to pay these employees a minimum wage of not less than $7.25 an hour. -
The Railway Labor Act
In 1926, the Railway Labor Act (RLA) was passed, requiring
employers to bargain collectively and prohibiting discrimination
against unions.
