Question

Watch Charles Craver discuss the Taft-Hartley Act. Write a one-paragraph summary of the purpose of the act based on Craver's interview. Include specific details about what the act contains, as well as its relationship to the Wagner Act, also known as the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Note: You may also want to search on the Internet or in a library for examples of Senator Robert Taft discussing the act in the 1940s.

Answer 1

Professor Craver explained that Congress passed the Taft-Hartley Act to curb the overbearing power of labor unions and labor bosses in order to protect individual workers. Congressman Fred A. Hartley, Jr. and his Republican colleagues in Congress felt that the Wagner Act had given too much power to labor unions. Under Taft-Hartley, the rights of workers to unionize was protected, but the right of union members to curb the power of union leaders to call territorial strikes between two unions or take other actions harmful to workers was expanded. Taft-Hartley limited the power of unions to interfere with economic growth, profits, or individual workers' opportunities. Concerns for public safety and the public good were the main justifications for the law.

Answer 2

Act sought to curb the power of Labour unions which had been given greater power under the Wagner act.

Explanation:

Charles Craver explains the intent of Congress to pass the Tart-Hartley Act. It was done to curb the overarching power of the labour unions and labour bosses in a bid to protect the workers. The act was passed by congressmen Fred A Hartley and his republican colleague who have felt the need for curbing the Wagner act which had provided over-arching powers to the labour unions.

Under the Taft-Hartley Act, not only the right of workers to form unions was protected but also member’s right to defy the union leaders to call for territorial strikes or to take harmful action against workers was expanded. In a nutshell, the act cut short the power of the union to subdue the economic growth prospects, profits as well as opportunities of the individual worker.