The Taft-Hartley Act at a Glance

The Taft-Hartley Act, an amendment to the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1932, was passed in 1947 to restore a more balanced relationship between labor and management. It gives employees the right to refrain from participating in union activities and adds a series of prohibited unfair labor practices by unions. In addition, it creates the Federal Mediation Service to assist management and unions in settling disputes. It also establishes certain Presidential powers to be used to retain order in certain emergency situations (such as a strike or lockout that would likely cause adverse effects on an entire industry or would threaten national health, safety or security). Taft-Hartley also forbids an employer from giving/loaning money to a union, union official, union welfare fund or employee involved in a labor dispute and forbids both employers and unions from contributing to political candidates.