How did the New Deal help organized labor?

The New Deal helped organized labor in several ways:

1. National Labor Relations Act (NLRA): Also known as the Wagner Act, it was passed in 1935. It guaranteed workers the right to form labor unions and bargain collectively with their employers. It also established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to enforce labor laws and oversee union elections.

2. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Enacted in 1938, it set a minimum wage, maximum working hours, and overtime pay requirements for covered employees. This legislation aimed to improve working conditions and prevent exploitation of labor.

3. Public Works Administration (PWA) and Works Progress Administration (WPA): These New Deal programs provided employment opportunities for millions of workers through the construction of public infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. They also funded arts and cultural projects, indirectly benefiting workers in those sectors.

4. Social Security Act: While not directly related to organized labor, the Social Security Act provided a safety net for workers by establishing unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, and other social welfare programs. This helped alleviate economic insecurity among workers and their families.

5. Collective Bargaining Power: By empowering workers to organize and bargain collectively, the New Deal strengthened the bargaining position of labor unions. This enabled workers to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions with their employers.

Overall, the New Deal's policies aimed to address the economic challenges of the Great Depression and promote social and economic justice, which included significant support for organized labor.