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The Evolution Of The "Duty To Bargain" Concept In American Law, Russell A. Smith

Michigan Law Review

Promotion of collective bargaining appears to be a governmental policy borne of the travails of economic emergency during World War I, though it was somewhat foreshadowed by the earlier attempt in the Erdman Act of 1898 to outlaw the "yellow-dog'' contract. It first gained recognition by certain of the individual branches of the administration II and was subsequently suggested as an over-all policy, along with recognition of the right of self-organization and other principles, by the War Labor Conference Board. This board was appointed in January, 1918, by the Secretary of Labor and consisted of nominees of the National Industrial …