Question

The Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (1959), was the last major piece of labor legislation to be passed by Congress and signed by the President. Why was this act needed and what were some of its major provisions?

Answer 1

This act was needed due to the abuse of power and corruption by some union leaders. It is primarily designed to protect the rights of individual union members in their relations with their own union and to ensure that labor unions operate in a democratic and financially responsible manner. Some provisions include: all local union officers must be elected by secret ballot vote at least once every three years and nation union officers once every 5 years. Union members must approve any increase/decrease in union dues, membership fees, or other fees. A union’s constitution and bylaws must be approved by a vote of membership and is considered to be abiding contract. Unions are required to submit annual reports to the USDOL containing union assets and liabilities, union officer salaries and current operating rules.