A yellowdog contract is a term used to describe a contract that restricts an employee's ability to join or participate in a labor union. Synonyms for this controversial agreement include anti-union agreements, ironclad contracts, and non-union agreements. Yellowdog contracts have been used by employers to prevent workers from forming unions or taking part in collective bargaining. This kind of contract was prevalent in the early twentieth century when labor rights were limited and workers had limited leverage. However, this type of agreement has been largely prohibited by law today, and many unions have fought for the protection of employees' rights. Despite this, some employers still resort to this type of contract in certain industries.