The Wagner Act(National Labor Relations Act)By Teddy Yerdon and Leo
Canino
Purpose
Protected workers’ right to unionization.
Allowed workers to strike. Allowed employees to collectively
bargain with employers. Protected employee demands and
jobs
FDR’s Thoughts
“it should serve as an important step toward the achievement of just and peaceful labor relations in industry.”
How Was It Implemented?
The National Labor Relations Board
• Enforced Wagner Act
• NLRB conducts elections to give employers representation.
• Investigates unfair labor practices.• Enacted in 1935
Who it was targeted for?
Created to protect jobs of employees.
For all employees involved in Interstate Commerce.
Exceptions: Railroad, Airline, Agricultural, and Government workers.
Middle and lower class Americans Permitted employees to compile in
Unions.
Change in the role of the Government
Government was changing from laissez faire status
The federal government regulated businesses
Desired to treat employees more rationally Gave business’s less authority over
employees Government becoming more involved in
working issues Raised confidence for workers
Did the Act increase Federal spending?
Yes, Sponsored by Senator Robert F. Wagner
NLRA needed to enforce the Act
Did it increase government involvement in everyday lives
Yes, government was getting more involved
Developing a more hands-on approach.
Showed governments care for working class
Goal: protect working class’s economic security
Government regulation of big buisnesses
Began regulating more big business affairs
NLRB reviewed complaints made by employees.
NLRB required: a minimum wage to be established that employers give employees
safe workplaces less hours in the workday.
Effectiveness of the Wagner Act
During/After the depression companies paid very little $ to employees.
Wagner Act permitted wage negotiation.
More fair wages for employees. Allowed people to keep steady inflow
of $.
Who? How?
Who it affected? Protected the Working Class. Ensured fair labor practice. By 1940 9 million people in unionsHow it affected people? Protected fair business practices. Allowed employees to negotiate
demands.
Constitutional or Not?
It was deemed constitutional.
Works Cited
Secondary Sources "Â 1935 Â Labor and Social Security." The Great Depression: Facts, Charts,
History, Analysis, Opinion. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.usstuckonstupid.com/sos1935.html>.
Chavis, Jason C., and Bronwyn Harris. WiseGeek. Conjecture, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-wagner-act.htm>.
"Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum." - FDR and the Wagner Act. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012.<http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/aboutfdr/wagneract.html>.
"The NLRB: The Wagner Act of 1935." The Wagner Act. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.stfrancis.edu/content/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/btopics/works/wagner.htm>.
"The Wagner Act." The Wagner Act. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.steveharrypublicpolicy.com/Unions/wagneract.htm>.
Primary Source "Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum - OurDocuments." Franklin
D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum - OurDocuments. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/odnlrast.html>.