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Founding of National Labor Union
The National Labor Union was created to pressure Congress into making labor laws. The first actions were to call Congress to mandate an 8 hour workday. The Organization dissolved in 1873, but paved the way for future labor unions across the nation. -
The Adamson Act
The Adamson Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson. This Act established an 8hr work day for railroad workers. Furthermore, this act also gave the railroad workers the right to be paid a time and a half for any overtime they work.This Act was only created due to a nation wide railroad strike. -
Federal Compensation Act
This Act gave injured workers the right to reclaim their Federal jobs within one year of onset of wage loss. This Act was created to provide payment compensation by certain employers to their employees for injuries caused to them by accidents while in employment. This also applies to diseases obtained while in employment. The Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson. -
The National Labor Relations Act
This law protects the workplace democracy by providing employees the fundamental right to seek better working conditions and designation of representation without the fear of retaliation. Next, the action of turning the act into a law was signed by President Roosevelt. FDR signed because "A better relationship between labor and management". -
The Social Security Act
This Act established a system of old age benefits for workers, benefits for victims for industrial accidents, unemployment insurance, aid for mothers and children, people who are blind and people with disabilities. The Act was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. -
Fair Labor Standards Act
This Act established minimum wage, record keeping and youth employment standards, affecting employees in Federal, State and local governments. The purpose was to facilitate better working conditions. The Act was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. -
Federal Employees - Rights to Collective Bargaining
This was the first time in history that Federal employees had the right to collective bargaining to advocate for themselves. This was an Executive Order by President Kennedy who stated "the right of Federal employees to deal collectively with Federal departments and agencies in which they are employed should be protected." -
The Equal Pay Act
The Act mandated that any and all workers must be given equal pay, regardless of gender. This Act was created to protect against wage discrimination. The Act was signed by President John F. Kennedy. -
Occupational Safety and Health Act
This Act gave the Federal government the authority to set and enforce safety and health standards for most of the Country's workers. The purpose for the Act was due to public outcry for increasing injury and death rates on the job. The Act was signed by President Nixon. -
Family and Medical Leave Act
The Act requires employers of 50 or more employees to give up to 12 week of unpaid job-protected leave to eligible employees for the birth or adoption of a child or for serious illnesses of the employee, spouse, child or parent. The Act was signed by President Bill Clinton.