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H.R. 1638 100th Congress House

Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments

Official title: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to give employers and performers in the performing arts rights given by section 8(e) of such Act to employers … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to give employers and performers in the performing arts rights given by section 8(e) of such Act to employers and employees in similarly situated industries, to give to employers and performers in the performing arts the same rights given by section 8(f) of such Act to employers and employees in the construction industry, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 23, 1987 See on congress.gov
Labor and Employment Arts, Culture, ReligionCollective bargainingCollective bargaining unitEntertainers
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Labor unionsMusicPerforming artsUnfair labor practicesUnion security
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This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 20, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Labor-Management Relations.
Mar 17, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Mar 17, 1987
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 20, 1987

Referred to Subcommittee on Labor-Management Relations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude specified types of employers and performers in the performing arts from coverage under unfair labor practice provisions prohibiting specified contracts or agreements between employers and labor organizations and prohibiting specified actions of labor organizations to force or require cessation of dealings with others, joining of labor or employer organizations, or recognition of or negotiation with labor organizations not certified as representative.

Permits such employers, excluding employers in the broadcasting or motion picture industries, to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in such organization a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if the majority status of the organization has not yet been established.

Defines "employer" to include purchasers of musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform musical services.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1346 Identical bill Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Democratic 4 Republican 1
GEPHARDT, RICHARD
· Oct 4, 1988
KLECZKA, GERALD
· Aug 11, 1988
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Dec 8, 1987
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Nov 17, 1987
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Jul 14, 1987
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Apr 23, 1987
 D
Mfume, Kweisi
Maryland · Apr 23, 1987
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1638: Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-1638/
MLA
"H.R. 1638: Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-1638/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1638, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-1638/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1638: Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-1638/)
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