National Labor Relations Act Of 1935

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 is a statute enacted to guarantee the rights of private sector employees to form trade unions, engage in collective bargaining with employers, and take collective action (striking for example) if necessary. It also created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in order to enforce the act, aid in the collective bargaining process, and investigate and remedy unfair labor practices. This came about after years of unrest amongst the working class and the negative effects unfair labor practices were having on commerce.

Prior to the law taking effect July 6th, 1935, many employers refused to take part in collective bargaining with employees, denying their rights to organize labor unions and negotiate

for better wages and working conditions. This, in turn, forced workers to resort to striking or other collective actions as a means of protest. Repeated and continuous striking combined with the lackluster conditions for those who remained actively working further hindered the efficient flow of commerce and intensified recurring business depressions.

During this time-period, the United States was in the middle of the great depression. More than one-fifth of the population was unemployed, and workers lived in constant fear of losing their jobs. Members of trade unions were often threatened with dismissal by their uncompromising employers, and average personal income was incredibly low across the board. Working class citizens, struggling to provide for their families, were in desperate need of proper representation for themselves and recognition by their employers.

The National Labor Relations Act (known less formally as the Wagner Act) offered union members necessary support, and reaffirmed their rights by law to organize and bargain with employers. The National Labor Relations Board also offered proper protection against unfair labor practices and set up offices aimed to counsel union representatives in ways to productively negotiate with their employers. The act helped to stabilize working conditions and competitive wage rates, while overall improving the relationships between workers and employers.

If the Wagner Act had not been put into effect, it is very likely that in-business relations would have continued to aggravate, and could have devolved enough to further worsen the ongoing depression. However, due to its implementation, this did not occur and relations were able to improve over time. The NLRB proved sufficiently effective to aid in the processes of bargaining, and remains in operation to this day.