In the United States v. Employing Plasterers Association of Chicago et al., 1953, the Supreme Court examined whether a labor union and employers could agree to set minimum prices for subcontractors. The Employing Plasterers' Association of Chicago, an association of contractor firms, had entered into collective bargaining agreements with Operative Plasterers' and Cement Finishers' International Association that included fixing minimum prices at which plastering work could be subcontracted. The government argued this was in violation of antitrust laws as it restrained trade by eliminating competition among contractors who were members of the association. The court ruled against the defendants stating that such price-fixing arrangements indeed violated federal antitrust laws (Sherman Act). It held that while labor unions are generally exempt from these laws when pursuing legitimate labor objectives, they cannot use this exemption to justify entering into price-fixing agreements with businesses or employer associations. This case established important boundaries on collaboration between unions and employers regarding pricing practices.

In the dissenting opinion for United States v. Employing Plasterers Association of Chicago, it was argued that the majority's decision to hold a trade association liable under antitrust laws was misguided and potentially harmful to legitimate business practices. The dissent emphasized that while certain activities by trade associations may be anti-competitive, not all actions taken by these groups are inherently illegal or detrimental to competition. It further contended that the court should have considered whether specific conduct had an actual adverse effect on competition rather than broadly condemning all collective action as per se violations of antitrust law. This approach would allow for a more nuanced understanding of complex economic relationships and prevent undue harm to lawful cooperative efforts among businesses.