LABOUR LAW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23055, 4 June 1938, Page 13

LABOUR LAW

ROOSEVELT DISSATISFIED MAY MODIFY WAGNER ACT OCCURRENCE OF DISPUTES (Received June 3, 8.6 p.m.) NEW YORK. June 3 It is reported that President Roosevelt is dissatisfied with the working of the National Labour Relations Act, under which many disputes between workers and employers have occurred, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times. The President will appoint a commission to propose revisions, probably modelling the now legislation after the British Trades Union Act. The president believes the current recession is partly duo to the disputes engendered by the national Labour Relations Act. The National Labour Relations Act, also known as tho Wagner Act, was brought into force in 1935. It forbids to employers so-called unfair labour practices, which include: —Dismissing employees because of union membership or activity; supporting company unions financially or aiding in their organisation; refusing to bargain with any labour organisation chosen by the majority of employees through their free choice; bargaining with any other group than the one chosen by the majority of employees as representative of them. Enforcement of the Act is through the National Labour Relations Board, which receives complaints, holds hearings on them, and may issue cease and desist orders. On application of either party to a dispute the board may hold elections to determine what organisation the employees wish to act as their representative in collective bargaining, and has power to designate whether a plant, an employer, a craft or other division of industry shall be the unit appropriate for bargaining. The Act was assailed in the Federal Courts, but was upheld by the "United States Supreme Court on April 12, 1937, in five cases which had been brought on appeal.