Although there are some notable exceptions, the law has generally been slow to recognize individual rights when they conflicted with the policy of institutional unionism that was enacted in the National Labor Relations Act. Union power and prestige grew at an enormous rate for many decades. Union security clauses became the norm. Legislative developments and case precedent from the United States Supreme Court began to chip away at this power base as individual rights reemerged as a significant consideration, especially in areas of labor law where unions power was nearly absolute.