National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation

The case of National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation (1937) was a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld the constitutionality of the Wagner Act. The Wagner Act, also known as the National Labor Relations Act, established the legal right of most workers to organize, join labor unions, and engage in collective bargaining.1

The act created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to regulate labor relations, determine appropriate bargaining units, conduct union elections, and prevent unfair labor practices by employers. The Supreme Court's decision in Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. was crucial because it affirmed the federal government's power to regulate labor relations under the commerce clause, even in industries not directly involved in interstate commerce. This ruling significantly strengthened the power of labor unions and collective bargaining in the United States.12