Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Practice Exam

Which act aimed to protect labor unions from anti-trust laws and judicial injunctions?

1. Clayton Act

2. Sherman Act

3. Leman Act

4. Taft-Hartley Act

The correct answer is: Clayton Act

The Clayton Act is significant in the history of labor relations as it was specifically designed to address the limitations imposed on labor unions by earlier legislation, particularly the Sherman Act. Enacted in 1914, the Clayton Act acknowledged the unique role of labor organizations as entities that promote workers' rights and interests. One of the critical components of this act is its provision that exempted labor unions from being prosecuted under anti-trust laws, recognizing the importance of free association among workers. This legislation aimed to ensure that unions could operate without the fear of being dismantled by court orders or anti-trust litigation, which had been a concern under the Sherman Act, where unions were often characterized as illicit conspiracies in restraint of trade. By clarifying this distinction and providing protections against judicial injunctions that could limit union activities, the Clayton Act contributed significantly to the legitimacy and functioning of labor unions in the United States. In contrast, the other acts mentioned do not specifically address the legal protections for labor unions in the same way. The Sherman Act broadly prohibits anti-competitive practices but does not make allowances for labor unions. The Leman Act is not as widely recognized in this context, and the Taft-Hartley Act deals with union regulation and limitations on union activities rather