Labor and Labor Practices

Federal Labor Legislation

The two most important federal acts relating to organized labor are the Wagner Act and the Taft-Hartley Act. The following describes both acts and lists their major provisions.

Lockouts

A lockout occurs when employees are prevented from working by the employer. When a contract has expired and the employer wants concessions on mandatory subjects of bargaining from the union, he may legally lock them out. Lockouts for the intimidation of workers, such as before a union election, are illegal, as are lockouts over permissible subjects of bargaining.

Regulation of Child Labor Today

Today all states have child labor laws, but when both the FSLA and state law apply, the more restrictive rule must be followed. Federal child labor law is enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor.