West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish

Definition

West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1937 that upheld the constitutionality of minimum wage laws for women, marking a significant shift in the Court's approach to economic regulation and individual rights. This case demonstrated how state interest in protecting workers' rights could be balanced with business interests, highlighting the evolving interpretation of constitutional rights and liberties.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The case involved a challenge to Washington state's minimum wage law, which set a minimum wage for female employees in the hotel industry.
2. The Supreme Court's decision was pivotal in affirming that the government has a legitimate interest in regulating wages to protect workers, particularly vulnerable populations like women.
3. West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish marked a departure from the earlier Lochner era decisions that emphasized freedom of contract and limited government regulation.
4. The ruling effectively set a precedent for future cases involving labor rights and economic regulations, laying the groundwork for later social welfare legislation.
5. Justice Hughes authored the majority opinion, which argued that the minimum wage law was a valid exercise of the state's police power to promote public welfare.

Review Questions

• How did West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish reflect a shift in the Supreme Court's approach to individual rights and economic regulation?
  • West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish illustrated a significant change from the Court's earlier stance during the Lochner era, where it favored unregulated economic freedom. The ruling recognized the government's role in protecting workers' rights through minimum wage laws, especially for vulnerable groups like women. This case set a new precedent that allowed for increased government intervention in the economy to safeguard public welfare.
• Discuss the implications of the West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish ruling on future labor rights legislation in the United States.
  • The ruling in West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish had lasting implications for labor rights legislation by legitimizing minimum wage laws and broadening governmental authority over economic regulations. This case provided a legal foundation for future labor protections and social welfare laws, promoting the notion that government has a role in ensuring fair wages and working conditions. As a result, it encouraged further advancements in labor rights and protections for workers across various sectors.
• Evaluate how West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish fits into broader theories of constitutional interpretation regarding economic regulation.
  • West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish can be analyzed through various theories of constitutional interpretation, particularly balancing tests that consider both individual liberties and state interests. The decision reflects an evolution from strict originalism or textualism toward a more pragmatic approach that recognizes societal needs and contexts, particularly concerning economic regulation. This ruling demonstrates how interpretations can shift based on prevailing social attitudes toward labor rights, showing an increased acceptance of government involvement to promote social justice and protect vulnerable populations.

Related terms

Minimum Wage: The lowest remuneration that employers can legally pay their workers, often established by law to ensure fair compensation.

Constitutional Law: A body of law which defines the role, powers, and structure of different entities within a state, primarily focusing on the interpretation and application of a nation's constitution.

Economic Regulation: Government intervention in the market to influence economic activity, often aimed at protecting public welfare and ensuring fair competition.