What was a key provision of the Taft-Hartley Act?

What was a key provision of the Taft-Hartley Act?

• A. It required a 90-day waiting period before strikes
• B. It outlawed "closed shops" and required loyalty oaths from union leaders
• C. It allowed unions to organize freely without restrictions
• D. It mandated higher wages for all workers

Answer: (B)

The Taft-Hartley Act, officially known as the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, was a significant piece of legislation aimed at balancing the power of labor unions and management. A key provision of this act was the outlawing of "closed shops," which are workplaces where only union members could be hired. By prohibiting closed shops, the act aimed to promote an environment where individuals had the right to choose whether to join a union without facing coercion from unions or employers. In addition, the act required union leaders to sign loyalty oaths affirming that they were not communists, which was a reflection of the broader Red Scare and concerns about communism in the post-World War II era. This provision was crucial as it placed additional restrictions on unions and ensured that their leadership adhered to certain ideological standards. The other options do not accurately reflect the essence of the act. For example, while the act did involve some waiting periods for strikes, its primary focus was on limiting the power of unions rather than facilitating their organization. Similarly, the act did not mandate higher wages for workers; instead, it sought to create a more balanced labor environment by imposing restrictions on union activities.

The Taft-Hartley Act, officially known as the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, was a significant piece of legislation aimed at balancing the power of labor unions and management. A key provision of this act was the outlawing of "closed shops," which are workplaces where only union members could be hired. By prohibiting closed shops, the act aimed to promote an environment where individuals had the right to choose whether to join a union without facing coercion from unions or employers.

In addition, the act required union leaders to sign loyalty oaths affirming that they were not communists, which was a reflection of the broader Red Scare and concerns about communism in the post-World War II era. This provision was crucial as it placed additional restrictions on unions and ensured that their leadership adhered to certain ideological standards.

The other options do not accurately reflect the essence of the act. For example, while the act did involve some waiting periods for strikes, its primary focus was on limiting the power of unions rather than facilitating their organization. Similarly, the act did not mandate higher wages for workers; instead, it sought to create a more balanced labor environment by imposing restrictions on union activities.