Which Supreme Court case allowed labor unions to legally form?

The decision in Commonwealth v. Hunt, delivered in 1842, is significant because it established that labor unions had the legal right to exist and organize for the purpose of collective bargaining. The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that unions were not inherently illegal conspiracies and that their activities aimed at advocating for workers’ rights, such as negotiating for better wages and working conditions, were legitimate. This marked a pivotal moment in labor history as it provided a legal foundation for the growth of organized labor in the United States.

In contrast, the other cases listed do not pertain to labor unions or labor rights. Lochner v. New York dealt with limits on working hours, while Brown v. Board of Education focused on segregation in public schools, and Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review. Thus, only Commonwealth v. Hunt directly addresses the formation and recognition of labor unions within the legal framework.