What is a yellow dog contract?

A yellow dog contract is a type of agreement that employers used to require workers to sign before hiring them. These contracts prohibited employees from joining or supporting labor unions or engaging in any kind of collective labor action, such as strikes or picketing.

Yellow dog contracts were popular in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in industries where labor unions were becoming more prominent. Employers used these contracts to prevent workers from organizing and advocating for better working conditions, higher wages, and other improvements.

In 1932, the Norris-LaGuardia Act was passed in the United States, which prohibited the use of yellow dog contracts. This act also restricted employers from using other tactics to prevent employees from joining or supporting labor unions.

Overall, yellow dog contracts were seen as oppressive and unfair to workers, as they restricted their rights to collectively bargain and advocate for better working conditions. Today, these types of contracts are illegal in most countries, as they violate labor rights and workers' rights to organize.