This Labor Day…. The National Labor Relations Act… Did you know?

ByEmily Moog September 1, 2026August 26, 2026

You probably know that the National Labor Relations Act was passed during the height of the Great Depression (1935!) and that it guaranteed the rights of employees to form a union and collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions.

CRS Reports .& other Federal Legislative history goodies… are available at PQ Congressional (& included as part of NYLI membership!)

Just one title available in NYLI’s extensive Nutshell collection

And you may know the NLRA by its popular name, “The Wagner Act”, and if you are a native New Yorker (and a bit older!), you know that it is named for its sponsor, City College alum Senator Robert F. Wagner.

If you are a lawyer (or a librarian!), you should know that regulations and sometimes regulatory entities are required to help enforce legislation. And you may know that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)was established to determine appropriate bargaining units, union elections, and prevent unfair labor practices.

But did you know that the NLRB’s power was quickly challenged in court? in 1937, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law, finding that the NLRA was consistent with the Commerce Clause (NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Co., 301 US).

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You must know, if you’ve read this far!, that the Wagner Act guaranteed the rights of employees to form unions and collectively bargain with their employers. But did you know that the act only covered “private sector” workers? And that it specifically excluded agricultural workers, domestic servants and railroad employees? You may have guessed that FDR fully supported the Wagner Act. But did you know that he did not approve of public sector workers organizing?

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You probably know that Labor Day is more than just a goodbye to summer with a final BBQ, and that laws governing workers’ and employers’ rights have changed over time.

But we hope you do know that The New York Law Institute is THE source on all legal subjects — with an extensive print and eBook collections, as well as Records & Briefs, PQ Congressional, LLMC, OED and our research librarians who guide you through it all….

What are you waiting for? Summer is nearly over & now is the time to gear up for your upcoming season of legal research with a NYLI membership…click here for more info about joining the team !!