Final answer:
In 1937, the National Labor Relations Board was reorganized, and in 1946 steps were taken that eventually led to the merger of the AFL and CIO. The supportive environment for unions created by the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 faced challenges after WWII with the Taft-Hartley Act, which led to a decline in union membership.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1937, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was reorganized following the directives of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, and in 1946 the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) merged, leading towards a cooperative partnership that would become official in 1955.While the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 greatly encouraged union membership in the 1930s by granting workers the right to organize, the post-World War II era, specifically with the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, introduced laws that allowed workers to refrain from joining a union, which led to a decline in union membership over time.
In 1937, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) underwent a reorganization in line with the directives of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. This legislation, also known as the Wagner Act, played a pivotal role in promoting workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively. The Act significantly encouraged union membership during the 1930s.
However, the post-World War II era brought about changes with the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947. This legislation introduced provisions that allowed workers the option to refrain from joining a union, undermining the momentum gained by unions in the previous decade. The Taft-Hartley Act sought to balance the power dynamics between labor and management but also contributed to a decline in union membership over time.
Additionally, in 1946, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) merged, a step towards unity that would officially materialize in 1955. This cooperative partnership aimed to consolidate the strength of labor organizations in the United States.