In my recent op-ed, I discuss how the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 has distorted labor relationships in unionized industries by forcing employers and employees to deal with unions.
Like General Motors, Bethlehem Steel was an iconic American corporation. It was the second largest steel producer in the United States. It helped build the Golden Gate Bridge, over 1,000 ships during World War II, and much of the New York City skyline.
One of the great things about living in a free country is that you have the freedom of association—meaning the freedom to choose who to do business with. For example, if your business is using a contractor who is rude and unreliable, you are free to end your relationship with him and to instead pursue business with someone else. But this freedom is restricted by the Wagner Act.
In a previous post, I described how General Motors entered some self-defeating relationships with the United Auto Workers. To understand this complex relationship, it is useful to know how it began.