Texas Independent Labor Laws

Texas labor law deals with the different aspects of union-employer relationships. Modern labor law comprises legislation, regulations and executions of the laws. Texas has several laws made to safeguard worker interests. Every employers must display labor law posters in their offices and will be fine if they fail to do so. The employee can question his termination if he has not done anything against the contract signed by him during his employment. There are also very strict laws safeguarding women against harassment.

National Labor Relations Act

• The National Labor Relations Act was passed by the federal government in 1935 with a view to maintain the balance of power between management and labor. Under this Act, labor has a right to collectively bargain and form unions. This law enables labor to form organizations and penalizes the employers if they try to interfere with the organizations. The National Labor Relations Board was formed to enforce and administer this law. All workers who earn salaries, commissions or wages are covered under this law.

Labor-Management Relations Act

• The Labor Management Relationship Act is also known as the Taft-Hartley Act. It was introduced by Congress to safeguard the rights of labor unions. This Act also aimed to check the demands of labor unions and prohibited both labor and management from resorting to any kind of unfair practices. Management was asked not to interfere with labor unions. It was also not allowed to discourage the formation of unions. Labor is prohibited from doing illegal boycotts or strikes. Under this act, labor unions are supposed to file financial reports with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB was empowered to issue complaints against defaulting parties by the Taft-Hartley Act.

Norris-LaGuardia Act

• The Norris-LaGuardia Act was one of the first Acts which worked in the favor of labor and its organizations. Before the introduction of this law, judgment was typically given in favor of management in case of any dispute between the labor and the management. The Act also made the so-called "Yellow dog" contract illegal, wherein an employee was made to sign a pledge that he would not join a labor union. The interference of federal courts was minimized under this Act, as the federal judiciary lost the power to use injunctions.

Landrum-Griffin Act

• The Landrum-Griffin Act is officially called the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. This act was made to control unscrupulous labor leaders who abused their power. A bill of rights was given to the union members that enabled them to check and protest against perceived corrupt leaders. This Act has laid down certain procedures which allow members of unions to elect their officers and leaders. They are also required to maintain transparency in their financial reports. The Act prohibits secondary boycotts and penalizes the union for the same. The union officials who commit financial abuses are also required to pay a penalty.