 
both the state and federal governments have passed labor laws. 
some of these laws were meant to strengthen unions, and some were meant 
to control unions. 
naturally, the unions try to get laws passed that will favor them. 
they oppose laws harmful to unions. 
in trying to get favorable laws, unions have not formed a political party 
of their own. 
they prefer to work for favorable legislation through the democratic and 
republican parties. 
occasionally they support a third party. 
union leaders make it clear what labor wants and then wait until the 
parties announce their platforms. 
then the union leaders issue a statement telling which party they prefer. 
labor unions have supported more democrats than republicans. 
of course, not all workers follow their leaders" advice. 
for example, they may have voted for one party all their lives and refuse 
to change. 
the labor vote is not a solid vote. 
let us now look at some of the important labor laws that have been passed 
by the federal government. 
in 1903 congress decided that industry and labor should have their own 
government agency. 
therefore, a department of commerce and labor was established. 
later, in 1913, this agency was separated into two distinct departments. 
the department of labor assists workers in many ways. 
it administers the labor laws, which improve working conditions and 
increase employment opportunities. 
for example, it conducts retraining courses for men who have lost their 
jobs because of growing automation. 
the department also collects labor statistics and publishes them each 
year. 
some of the statistics quoted in this book come from the department of 
labor. 
