Representative Actions Banned.—

Sec. 5. Representative Actions Banned.— (a) The second sentence of section 16(b) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, is amended to read as follows: “Action to recover such liability may be maintained in any court of competent jurisdiction by any one or more employees for and in behalf of himself or themselves and other employees similarly situated. No employee shall be a party plaintiff to any such action unless he gives his consent in writing to become such a party and such consent is filed in the court in which such action is brought.” (b) The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section shall be applicable only with respect to actions commenced under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. [29 U.S.C. 216, 216 nt] Enacted May 14, 1947, ch. 52, sec. 5(a), (b), 61 Stat. 87.