YELLOW DOG CONTRACT Meaning and
Definition
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A yellow dog contract refers to a type of contract commonly used in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in industries such as mining, factory work, and railroads. It required workers to sign an agreement in which they pledged not to join or support labor unions or engage in any organized labor activities.
In a yellow dog contract, employees relinquish their right to collective bargaining and maintain independence from unions. Employers often demanded workers sign these agreements as a condition of employment, exploiting the vulnerability of workers who were desperate for jobs during times of economic downturn or high unemployment rates.
These contracts were called yellow dog contracts because workers who signed them were often derogatorily referred to as "yellow dogs" or "blacklegs" by union members, implying a lack of loyalty to fellow workers and suggesting that they were traitors to the labor movement. The purpose of yellow dog contracts was to prevent workers from organizing collectively, which would have enabled them to negotiate for better wages, working conditions, and other benefits.
Yellow dog contracts have generally been deemed unenforceable and unconstitutional in the United States since the passage of the Norris-LaGuardia Act in 1932, as they are seen as a violation of workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. This act outlawed the use of such contracts and provided legal protections for workers engaging in labor organizing activities, ultimately contributing to the strengthening of the labor movement in the country.
Common Misspellings for YELLOW DOG CONTRACT
- ywllow-dog contract
- yelloe-dog contract
- yellow-dig contract
- yelow-dog contract
- yello-dog contract
- yellow-doog contract
- yellow-dogg contract
- yellowdogcontract
- yellowwdogcontract
- yeallow dog contract
- yalow dog contract
- yellow doge contract
