Labor-Management
Relations

Federal legislation re:
labor-management power
» labor unions

Labor policies and legislation
» wages and income
maintenance
» employment security
» hours and schedules of work
» employee services and benefits
Federal Legislation

Norris-LaGuardia Act (1932)
» restricted ability of employers to
obtain federal injunction against
strike activities by union

Wagner Act (1935) [National
Labor Relations Act]
» right to join union without
interference or discrimination
» allowance made for collective
bargaining
» established NLRB
» established procedures to follow
in unfair labor practices cases
Federal Legislation

Taft-Hartley Act (1947)
» prevented unions from
coercing employees to form
» outlawed union shop
(employee must join union)
» outlawed closed shop
(employer can hire only
union members)
» required participation in
collective bargaining
Federal Legislation

Landrum-Griffin Act (1959)
[Labor-Management
Reporting and Disclosure Act]
» established bill of rights for
union worker
» required financial disclosure by
union
» set procedures to elect union
officials
» provided civil and criminal
procedures to prosecute union
financial abuses

Is unionization + or - ?
Wage and Income
Management
Fairness vs. costs
 Unions have established
wage scales and merit pay
policies


Fair Labor Standards Act
(1938)
» purpose = prevent another
Depression (eliminate poverty,
create purchasing power)
» established minimum wage
Wages and Income
Maintenance

Social Security Act (1935)
» unemployment compensation
» purpose = income
maintenance between jobs
» criteria
– not a new employee
– be able and willing to work
– be out of a job through no fault of
their own
» regulations vary by state
Wages and Income
Maintenance

Equal Pay Act (1963)
» equal pay for equal work (no
discrimination on basis of
gender)
» time and a half for >40
hrs/week
Hours and
Schedules of Work

Fair Labor Standards Act
» minimum wage
» 40-hour work week or
equivalent
» controls employment of minors

Union contracts
» negotiate schedules, breaks

State laws vary
Employment Security/
Equal Employment
Opportunity (EEO)

Civil Rights Act (1964)
» no discrimination on basis of
race, color, national origin
» Title VII: includes action by
employers, employment
agencies, labor unions

Title VII extension (1974)
» no discrimination on basis of
religion and gender
Employment Security

Age Discrimination in
Employment Act (1967)
» protects older workers
(40-70)

Pregnancy Discrimination
Act (1978)
» no discrimination on basis
of pregnancy, childbirth,
related medical conditions
Employment Security

Civil Rights Act of 1991
» relaxed burden of proof
» allowed for damages for
pain and suffering
» i.e. more likely that
employees will sue to
uphold the law
Employment Security

Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA, 1990)
» no discrimination on basis of
disability IF person is able to do
the job with reasonable
accommodation
» pre-employment: cannot ask
about disability, medical history,
physical exam
» can ask about performing certain
tasks, require post-interview
physical for everyone
Employment Security

Immigration Reform and
Control Act of 1986
» illegal to recruit or hire
anyone not legally eligible
for U.S. employment
» I-9 form required
Employment Security

Other considerations:
» sexual harassment
» quotas for hiring
– quota = fixed, inflexible % or #
of positions to be filled
– Affirmative Action
vs. reverse discrimination

Risks to security:
» unemployment
» physical impairment
» old age

Risks of security?
Employee Services
and Benefits

Health and safety
» Occupational Safety and Health
Act (OSHA, 1970)
– provide safe working conditions
– worker’s compensation insurance
» Family and Medical Leave Act
(1993)
– allows for unpaid leave for
adoption, care for ill family
members

Health insurance
» Flexible Benefit plans

Accident insurance
Employee Services
and Benefits

Economic
» Social Security Act
» pension, retirement
» profit-sharing
» vacations, holidays, sick leave

Convenience and comfort
» morale builders