The History and the organizational context of labor relations

Module 1: Labor Relations in Perspective—The Historical, Legal, and Organizational Context of Labor Relations

In this module, we first focus on an overview of the labor relations process as a whole to provide a framework for the entire course. We identify the participants in the process and, in general terms, describe their respective roles. We also identify the influences—social, legal, economic, and so on—that bear on the participants as they perform their functions in the process.

Next, we trace the historical development of unions and the labor movement. Our objective is to identify those developments that most significantly affected the American labor movement and the modern union.

Finally, we concentrate on the legal and organizational frameworks under which the labor relations process operates. We identify a broad spectrum of statutes and legal doctrines that contributed to the evolution of contemporary labor relations. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), as amended, is the subject of more detailed analysis. Because it is the primary labor relations law in the United States, we examine the national policies it promotes. We also look at key rulings of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Finally, we consider the way management and labor organize themselves internally to engage in the labor relations process.