Normally, negotiations between labor unions and employers do not involve the involvement of the

United States government. However, there are two industries in which the federal government can
intervene: railways and airlines. This is due to the Railway Labor Act, which was passed by Congress in
1926 as one of the earliest labor laws in the country. This law gives Congress the power to intervene in
disputes between rail unions. In 1936, an amendment was added to expand the act's coverage to
include the airline industry.

The purpose of the Railway Labor Act and its airline amendment is to prevent strikes in the railway and
airline industries from disrupting interstate commerce. As the Constitution grants Congress the
authority to regulate interstate commerce, it is believed that Congress should have the power to
intervene in these disputes. However, the use of this law by the federal government is often
controversial and draws criticism from workers and labor unions.