Harvard economist: U.S. landmark labor law an 'anachronism'

[marmar]

from In These Times:



U.S. Labor Law an Irrelevant ‘Anachronism,’ Says Prominent Harvard Economist

Wednesday
10 Nov 10
1:27 pm

By Akito Yoshikane


Richard Freeman wishes landmark New Deal-era legislation an unhappy 75th birthday

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the country's foremost labor statute governing private sector workplace issues, is out of date, says Harvard labor economist Richard B. Freeman.

Freeman, who also directs the private nonprofit National Bureau of Economic Research, presented a working paper in late October at a conference held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and George Washington University law school. The symposium, first covered by The New York Times, was to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the landmark labor act.

In examining the legacy of its impact, Freeman argues the NLRA system is not adequately addressing the needs of 21st-century labor issues. While the legislation intended to create a proper channel for employees to unionize, many labor organizers have bucked the law by working outside of the NLRA’s scope of influence. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/6638/u.s._labor_law_is_out_of_date_says_economist/

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. WOW!!!!

This is damn scary.

What is next? Ten hour days?

[marmar]

3. Actually, I re-read it and he's suggesting changes.....

I reworked the headline.

[Catherina]

2. Serfdom. n/t

[Starry Messenger]

4. I wonder how long it took his graduate assistant to type that up for him.