Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of the Clayton Act enacted by Congress in 1914?

The Clayton Act, enacted by Congress in 1914, was a significant piece of legislation aimed at clarifying labor's position under antitrust laws. The Act was a response to the growing pressure to protect organized labor and was designed to ensure that labor was not treated as a commodity or an article of commerce. The Act's primary purpose was to prevent the interpretation of Federal antitrust laws in a way that would prohibit the existence and operation of labor organizations. It also aimed to ensure that such organizations and their members were not considered illegal combinations or conspiracies in restraint of trade under the antitrust laws. The Clayton Act was a major step forward in labor law, as it provided legal protection for labor organizations and their members, allowing them to operate without fear of being considered illegal under antitrust laws. This Act was a significant milestone in the history of labor laws in the United States, as it recognized the importance of labor organizations in protecting the rights and interests of workers. It laid the groundwork for future labor laws, such as the Railway Labor Act and the Norris-LaGuardia Act, which further strengthened the rights of labor unions and their members.