What 1935 US law guaranteed workers the right to organize and bargain collectively?

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935, commonly known as the Wagner Act, was a landmark piece of United States labor legislation signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 5, 1935. Named after its sponsor, Senator Robert F. Wagner of New York, this act fundamentally reshaped the relationship between workers, unions, and employers. It was enacted during the Great (Review) Depression, a time of widespread economic hardship and significant labor unrest, where workers often faced formidable opposition from employers when attempting to organize for better conditions.

The Wagner Act guaranteed the right of most private sector employees to organize into trade unions, engage in collective bargaining, and take collective action, such as strikes. It aimed to correct the "inequality of bargaining power" that existed between individual employees and organized employers. To enforce these new protections, the act established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an independent federal agency tasked with overseeing union elections, investigating unfair labor practices by employers, and resolving labor-management disputes. The law specifically prohibited employers from interfering with union formation, dominating labor organizations, discriminating against union members, or refusing to bargain collectively.

Often hailed as "labor's Magna Carta," the Wagner Act provided a crucial legal framework that bolstered the labor movement and led to a dramatic increase in union membership throughout the 1930s. It represented a significant shift in government policy, moving from a stance that often favored business interests to one that actively protected and promoted workers' rights to organize. While it did not apply to all workers, such as agricultural or domestic employees, its passage marked a pivotal moment in American history, laying the groundwork for modern labor relations and establishing enduring protections for millions of workers.