An agreement, common in United States labor history, required employees to pledge not to join or support a labor union as a condition of employment. These agreements aimed to prevent unionization and maintain employer control over the workforce. For example, a factory owner might stipulate that new hires sign a document promising not to become union members during their tenure at the company.
The significance of such agreements lies in their impact on the balance of power between employers and workers. By suppressing union activity, employers could limit collective bargaining and maintain lower wages and less favorable working conditions. The historical context is crucial, as these agreements were a significant obstacle to the growth of the labor movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They represented a key tool used by businesses to resist unionization efforts and preserve their economic advantages.
