Wagner Act 1935: Protecting Labor Unions — Reading Comprehension

The Wagner Act of 1935, officially called the National Labor Relations Act, transformed American labor relations by giving workers the legal right to form labor unions and bargain collectively. Before 1935, many workers faced harsh working conditions, low wages, and little power to change their situation. Employers often fired or threatened workers who tried to organize. This unfair balance of power caused growing unrest and frequent strikes across the United States.

During the Great Depression, millions of Americans were unemployed and desperate for better jobs. Business owners wanted to keep costs low, so they often resisted efforts by workers to demand higher pay or safer workplaces. Workers, however, believed they deserved the right to organize and speak up together. As one frustrated worker stated in a letter to Congress, "We ask only for a fair chance to talk to our employers together, not alone." This quote captures the central demand of the labor movement: collective power.

The government faced a serious problem. If strikes and labor conflicts continued, the fragile economy could worsen. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and many lawmakers believed that protecting workers’ rights would help stabilize both society and the economy. Senator Robert F. Wagner, the act’s main sponsor, argued that democracy in the workplace was as important as democracy in politics. Yet, many business owners opposed the law, claiming it would hurt economic recovery and limit their freedom to manage companies.

The Wagner Act provided several significant protections for workers. It made it illegal for employers to fire or punish employees for joining a union or participating in union activities. The act also created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an independent agency with the power to investigate unfair labor practices and protect workers’ rights. For the first time, the federal government took an active role in supporting union activity.

Not everyone supported these changes. Some business leaders argued that unions could demand unreasonable wages or cause disruptive strikes. Others feared that increased union power would reduce profits or slow down economic growth. However, union leaders and many workers viewed the Wagner Act as a critical step toward fairness. They believed that by negotiating as a group, workers could achieve better contracts and improve workplace conditions.

After the law passed, union membership increased rapidly. Many workers joined unions and successfully negotiated for higher wages, safer workplaces, and better benefits. The NLRB helped resolve disputes between employers and workers, reducing the number of violent strikes. Still, some challenges remained, such as continued resistance from certain industries and the exclusion of agricultural and domestic workers from the Act’s protections. The Wagner Act’s effects were complex: it strengthened labor’s voice but also fueled ongoing debates about the balance between business and worker rights.

Overall, the Wagner Act marked a turning point in American labor history. It showed how government intervention could address social and economic conflicts. The law’s legacy continues to shape labor relations and workplace democracy in the United States today.

Interesting Fact: The Wagner Act inspired similar labor laws in other countries and remains the foundation of U.S. labor law.

What year was the Wagner Act passed?

Who was the main sponsor of the Wagner Act?

What agency did the Act create?

Why did some business owners oppose the Act?

How did the Wagner Act solve labor problems?

What was the central demand of workers?

The Wagner Act inspired labor laws in other countries.

What does 'protections' mean in the passage?