What is a Yellow Dog Contract?
A Yellow Dog Contract, also known as an ironclad oath or a labor loyalty contract, prohibits an employee from joining or participating in a union while employed by a company. These contracts were widely used in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The term “yellow dog” was originally a derogatory term to describe workers willing to sign these contracts. Employers often used the contracts to prevent the formation of labor unions and maintain control over their employees. By signing these contracts, employees agreed to not join or participate in any labor organization or union during their employment. They agreed not to engage in any activities that could be perceived as unionizing efforts.
Yellow dog contracts were often imposed on workers as a condition of employment, and refusal to sign could result in termination. These contracts were considered legal until the passage of the Norris-LaGuardia Act in 1932, which prohibited employers from using yellow dog contracts to prevent employees from joining labor unions.
Opponents of yellow dog contracts argued that they violated workers’ rights and infringed on their freedom of association. Labor unions fought against these contracts and played a key role in legislation prohibiting their use.
Today, yellow dog contracts are generally considered illegal and unenforceable under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which protects workers’ rights to join or form labor unions and engage in collective bargaining. Employers who attempt to use these types of contracts may face legal consequences, including fines and legal action by employees or labor unions.
In summary, Yellow Dog Contracts were a type of labor contract used by employers to prevent their employees from joining or participating in labor unions. They were widely used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries but were made illegal by the Norris-LaGuardia Act in 1932. Using these types of contracts is generally prohibited under current labor laws in the United States.
