As noted in Section 2, the history of American labor relations
has mostly been one of freedom of contract and association,
which included labor services. For many years, individual
employers and employees were free to contract out their services
and decide their own terms largely without interference from
government. This was known as the "at-will" principle, which
left both employers and employees free to terminate their
relationship at any time and for any reason.  With the passage
of the National Labor Relations Act by Congress in 1935,
compulsory unionism for private-sector workers became official
public policy in federal law. The enactment of Michigan's Public
Employment Relations Act in 1947 made compulsory unionism for
government employees Michigan's policy. Subsequent amendments to
both of these laws have returned a measure of freedom to workers
who do not want to support labor union activities or who wish to
play a more active role in the affairs of their workplace union.
At the same time, however,