During WWII, the government pressured workers not to strike even though businesses were making huge profits. After WWII labor tried to make up lost ground and held many successful strikes. As their power increased, labor began entering politics. Business became alarmed at the growth of labor’s power and, with support of President Truman, launched an anti-labor propaganda campaign. They proposed that labor was responsible for price increases, and that unions were corrupt, undemocratic, and dominated by communists.
In 1947, Truman called for anti-labor legislation: Taft-Hartley. Written by lobbyists and lawyers from business and chambers of commerce, it included most proposals put forth by business to restrict labor. It was designed to control labor and keep a grip on power, and it passed without confrontation because labor was divided by the anticommunist witch hunt.
No union officer can be a communist or the union will lose NLRB protection. The government promoted that by cleaning out “reds,” America would prosper and all would benefit.
Gives freedom for antiunion campaigns.
Prohibits secondary boycotts and jurisdictional campaigns.
Bans the closed shop and lets states ban union shops.
Includes the Right to Work provision, which was designed to prevent union penetration in the South.
Allows unions to be sued for breach of contract.
Requires 60 day notice to terminate or modify a contract.
Allows the President to call an 8-day injunction against strikes in a national emergency.
Taft-Hartley has been used as a pretext for government intervention in labor union activities. For example, the government bailed out Chrysler in exchange for labor concessions, and President Reagan’s firing of PATCO workers forced concessionary bargaining.
A governmental “take concessions or take catastrophe (bankruptcy, etc.)” has been used to discipline unions, and the current War on Terrorism has been used to advance anti-labor agenda (with Homeland Security employees prohibited from joining unions). Labor’s power resides in labor itself, and Rank and File participation is needed to turn the tables in the favor of workers.