April 1955 National Right to Work Committee Newsletter Summary

Download the April 1955 National Right to Work Committee Newsletter

COMPULSION (NEW FORM)

Non-operating railroad brotherhoods are waging a new campaign for compulsory economic control over railroad workers. 

Hundreds of L & N non-operating workers, both union and non-union, refused to strike – – hired lawyer and contributed for newspaper, TV ads to tell public their story. . . .

WITH THE LEGISLATURES

UTAH – – Utah became the 18th state to adopt Right to Work legislation

Utah became the 18th state to adopt Right to Work legislation barring forced membership in a private organization in order to work and earn a living on February 24 when Gov. Bracken Lee signed the measure passed by the
legislature.

TENNESSEE – – After the Senate tabled a bill to repeal the Tennessee Right to Work Law  

Labor leaders with the assistance of Governor Clements made a determined effort to pass it in the House, then force Senate reconsideration. Strong opposition by opponents of union compulsion in the state, however, spiked the effort. . . .

ALABAMA

The AFL News-Reporter announces plans to launch to repeal the state Right to Work Law. . .

CAPITOL OUTLOOK 

 Both proponents and opponents of compulsory unionism and state protection for workers are looking for more and more toward Washington. . . .

CIVIL LIBERTIES!

The American Civil Liberties Union . . . proclaims . . . state right to work laws “. . . “may be interpreted as ‘an invitation to continue the denial of free speech and assembly to labor Unions  Declared Fred A. Hartley, Jr., NRWC president, in a letter to the ACLU’s executive director: “If you are quoted correctly, and I have no reason to believe that you are not, your attitude makes a mockery of your professed principles.” . . .

ECONOMIC FACTORS

The CIO issued a pamphlet a while back that attempted to prove that Right to Work laws were economic strictures held down growth and progress, restricted wages and blocked prosperity.

The research staff of the National Right to Work Committee recently concluded a thorough survey of these contentions, and its findings are in “A Fact Report,” which shows that, contrary to the CIO’s allegations, states having had guarantees against compulsory unionism for several years actually have averaged higher rates of improvements in such fields as total non-farm employment, per capita earnings, new construction, bank savings and similar indices, than have the rest of the states of the union. . . .

FARMER’S VIEWPOINT

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau’ Federation recently passed a resolution declaring: “No worker should be coerced into joining” or be deprived of his right to work by reason of failure to become a member of any organization,” the Milwaukee Journal reported, that the remark that won cheers and obviously reflected the opinion of most members” during the debate that preceded the vote was from K. D. Knutson, Janesville, “who said sharply: ‘When the Farm Bureau tells me I have to belong, then count me out.’

ARKANSAS

Labor forces have a bill before the Arkansas House to repeal the State Anti-Violence Act which makes it a felony to use force in preventing anyone from engaging in a lawful vocation.

UTAH

Utah became the 18th state to adopt Right to Work legislation barring forced membership in a private organization in order to work and earn a living on February 24 when Gov. Bracken Lee signed the measure passed by the legislature.

KANSAS

A Right to Work measure was passed by both Houses, but vetoed by Governor Hall March 28.

TEXAS

Gov. Allan Shivers has called for a strengthening of the Texas labor laws, with enactment of legislation prohibiting striking or picketing of a business establishment to compel recognition of the union by the employer or to coerce affiliation with the union of employees who do not wish to be represented by it.