Yellow Dog Contract

A yellow dog contract is a binding labor agreement introduced by employers that requires employees to abstain from participating in labor unions as a condition of employment. Such contracts normally contain clauses which do not allow employees to participate in union activities like organizing strikes, picketing, or collective bargaining. Many yellow dog contracts are blamed for restricting workers' collective action and ability to negotiate on their behalf; these have been outlawed in some jurisdictions as unenforceable or illegal.

Example of Yellow Dog Contract

In the early 20th century, many American companies, especially those that belonged to industries in which strong labor movements existed as in mining and manufacturing, required their workers to sign yellow dog contracts to discourage unionization attempts. For instance, a mining company might secure agreements from workers to forswear joining or supporting labor unions as a condition of employment. Workers who refused to sign such contracts were threatened with dismissal or any other tactics from their employers. Despite the fact that yellow dog contracts have largely been outlawed in most jurisdictions as a result of labor laws that protect workers’ rights to organize, they still remain a historical reminder of the past strides made towards achieving labor rights and bargaining power.