Duhaime's Law Dictionary Yellow Dog Contract Definition: A name given in American labor law to contract of employment by which the employee promises not to join a union and to forfeit employment if he/she joins a union during the period of employment. Related Terms: Labor Union, Union These types of contracts are now prohibited by American law, as they are in Canada. Back in 1930, Charles Rowan wrote: "A yellow dog contract is a contract of employment in which the employee promises either that he will not join a labor union during his term of employment or that he will withdraw from such employment in case he does join a labor union." In Statutory Attempts to Eliminate the Yellow Dog Contracts, which also provides an excellent historical review of these contracts, the following description can be found: "Yellow dog contracts are all directed at one purpose - the abstention of the employee from union activities. In return for employment he may promise not to join a union, or not to join a union while continuing in the employment. Others may take the form of a promise not to agitate for, or join in any strike .... "The consideration for these promises is the employment, but whether it be for a stated time or at will, the employer invariably reserves the right to discharge." In 1998, the Alberta Labour Relations Board had occasion to consider this term in 316291 Alberta Ltd. v BSOIW Shopmen's Local 805: "Yellow dog contract ... a practice of American origin in which the employer hires an employee under a written employment contract in which he or she expressly renounces the right to bargain collectively and promises not to join a trade union." REFERENCES: 316291 Alberta Ltd. v BSOIW Shopmen's Local 805, 44 CLRBR 2d 1 (1998) Rowan, Charles, Editorial Comment - The Yellow Dog Contract, 15 MULR 110 (1930-1931) Statutory Atempts to Eliminate the Yellow Dog Contracts at 81 U. Pa. L. Rev. (1932-1933), Categories & Topics: Duhaime's Employment & Labour Law Dictionary Always looking up definitions? Save time with our search provider (modern browsers only) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Law Dictionary, or if you have suggestion for a legal term, we'd love to hear from you!