Page 119 - Appreciating Organization's Biggest Assets

from labor because there were so independence. The SSA’s economic
many people living in poverty. (SSA). protections have been regarded as
The passing of this law created a social insurance since the beginning,
social insurance system that is still with membership a privilege
in place today and protects workers earned through employment and
from wage loss due to old age and premiums split equally by company
unemployment. A public social and employee through payroll taxes.
security net that would lessen the essential labor-friendly laws were
financial hardship of employees and passed in the years following the
their families began with the 1935 Great Depression, but none was
SSA. The SSA initially only covered more essential than the National
less than 60% of the population, Labor Relations Act of 1935.
but after a number of amendments, (Wagner Act). The twin rights
coverage quickly increased to of workers to form unions and
more than 90%. In addition to engage in collective bargaining were
expanding the population covered, protected by the Wagner Act. This
amendments in 1939 and 1956 action changed the course of events
respectively expanded benefits to for union labor, which had been
dependents and survivors and the too frequently defeated in judicial
disabled. In 1965, the Act’s purview disputes involving management
was widened to encompass medical and union entanglements. The rise
expenses for retired seniors. The in union membership is evidence
first benefit that was mandated by of the Wagner Act’s instant effects.
law nationally was Social Security. Between 1935 and 1940, the number
No State had a program that of union members increased by
protected workers’ incomes during more than two million, from 3.8
economic downturns or old age, million to 9 million, a stark contrast
despite the fact that some States had to the declines that had occurred
passed laws in the past requiring only a few years previously.
employers to provide workers’ Throughout World War II, unions
compensation benefits. The passage continued to expand quickly both
of the Social Security Act and the numerically and monetarily. With
difficulties endured during the their increased power after the war,
Great Depression would pave the unions pushed for higher pay and,
way for a number of changes in the when their demands were not met,
makeup of pay; however, the SSA’s they orchestrated extensive strikes
drafting intentionally preserved, that ultimately enraged the public.
at least in part, Labor’s spirit of Although unfair labor tactics by

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