Explain the role of the Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959 and discuss the rationale for this legislation.

The Landrum-Griffin Act was passed as a response to some high profile cases in which union leadership abused the trust of their members, engaged in illegal acts and general corruption. Landrum-Griffin accomplishes two main objectives: increasing union accountability for financial decisions and ensuring democratic procedures for union governance. The Act guarantees all union members equal rights of participation in internal union affairs, including voting rights and the ability to express their opinions.