Which act is recognized as the first pro-labor law outside of the railroad industry in the United States?

The Norris-La Guardia Act is recognized as the first pro-labor law outside of the railroad industry in the United States. Enacted in 1932, this law marked a significant step in labor relations by restricting the power of federal courts to issue injunctions against non-violent labor disputes and by protecting the right of workers to organize and engage in collective bargaining. It was designed to counteract the prevailing legal environment that often favored employers and their ability to seek court intervention to suppress union activities.

This act's passage came at a time when labor movements were gaining momentum, and it was an essential measure that helped to lay the groundwork for later legislation aimed at improving labor rights and establishing protections for workers. The Norris-La Guardia Act's emphasis on the rights of workers to join unions without employer interference represented a shift in policy that acknowledged the importance of labor organization outside of the traditional railroad context.

Understanding this context is crucial as it illustrates the evolving nature of labor rights in the United States and how the welfare of the workforce began to take precedence over the interests of employers in legal settings.