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Proponents of the constitutional amendment argued that all workers should have the right to elect whether or not they join a labor organization. Supporters of the proposition believed that voluntary unionism would provide a safeguard against the exploitation that could arise from monopoly control of
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The proposition would also declare certain practices unlawful such as those practices relating to membership in labor organizations. It also provides for injunction and damage suits against any individuals or group found to violate or attempt to violate the amendment. Proposition 18 also provides
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Opponents argued that, the so-called “right to work” measure would jeopardize
California's economy and pit employers and employees against one another during a time when there is a fluctuating national economy and international tension. The resulting tension between employers and employees would
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Opponents of Prop. 18 recorded spending $ 1,250,000 against the measure, according to the
Secretary of State's office. Their receipts totaled $ 1,523,653, while spending $ 1,241,196. Supporters of Prop. 18 recorded their receipts to total $ 507,053 and spending $ 390,419. Prop. 18 opposition
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as an initiated constitutional amendment. This measure is more commonly referred as the "right to work" law and would have added a new provision, Section 1-A to
Article 1 of the State Constitution. The amendment would “prohibit employers and employee organizations from entering into collective
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Opponents of
Proposition 18 quote statistics from the U.S Department of Commerce that reveal California's per capita income is 60 percent larger than those states who passed such “right to work” measures. Therefore, passage of the proposition would lower income and profits of all professional
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activities due to the nature of these acts. With negotiating power now firmly in the hands of union officials and employers a growing concern about the power of employment and safety of workers' rights loomed. There was a shift from craft-unions to industrial-unions, ultimately changing the
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Those who supported the measure reasoned that it would grant workers the freedom of choice that was guaranteed in the U.S Constitution to all
American citizens. This amendment would consequently protect workers from the unfair practices and corruption of employers and union officers.
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states that union open shop can only exist where there is majority rule because the majority of employees has chosen a single union as their bargaining agent. According to opponents of the measure union open shop is therefore “the
American, democratic way” as well.
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bargaining or other agreements which establish membership in a labor organization, or payment of dues or charges of any kind, as a condition of employment or continued employment.” That is, making union membership voluntary, rather than compulsory, for employment.
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was the biggest supporter of the proposition residing outside of
California, with the majority being spent on advertising. The largest out-of-state check written for the opposition was by the National Council for Industrial Peace in Washington.
74:, which was a select committee in charge of investigating the extent of corruption in labor-management relations, would expose many corrupt bosses and labor unions. This national issue would be decided on the state level.
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It was defeated by the efforts of unions and civil rights groups who fought to maintain the status quo, maintaining union strength. The labor issue created a rift in the
Republican Party caused by the rivalry of Governor
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population of union members from approximately 3,000,000 in 1935 to 15,000,000 in 1945. Labor unions had more power than they ever did before. In response to these major changes, Congress passed the
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428:
Kelley, Augustine B. "Should It Be
Illegal To Require Union Membership As A Condition Of Employment? CON." Congressional Digest 36.10 (1957): 235-237. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 June 2013
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would create a shift in the political tide in favor of the
Democrats. The liberal Democrats would remain firm and united in opposing the proposition, which would pay off with
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The measure was deemed immoral and ran contrary to the U.S democratic system. The U.S government is based on the principle of majority rule and according to the
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California Proposition 18 was defeated in the general elections of 1958 on November 4. The vote was 2.079.975 for (40,4%) and 3.070.837 against (59,6%).
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63:, still in effect today, forbids certain practices by unions, including forcing workers to join a union, and allowed states to elect to pass
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Anderson, Totton J. "The 1958 Election in California." The Western Political Quarterly , Vol. 12, No. 1, Part 2 (Mar., 1959), pp. 276-300
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winning the governorship of California and political control of California being held firmly in the hands of the Democratic party.
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Supporters also claimed that passing the right-to-work law in California would help rid of disloyal union leaders.
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William Jennings Bryan Jr., Co-chairman of Southern California section of Californians for Yes on Prop 18, son of
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Unions started to gain ground following the passage of several governmental acts such as the
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358:"General Election Ballot Pamphlet [Proposition #s 1-18] (November 4, 1958)"
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Religious affiliates, including Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish institutions
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108:, honorary chairmanship of Women’s Division for Californians yes on Prop 18
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Wells, Joseph (October 19, 1958). "Right-to-Work Law and Union Strength".
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The Catholic Labor Institute and the National Catholic Welfare Conference
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the definition for a “labor organization”. The proposition did not pass.
408:"California Proposition 18, Prohibition of Collective Bargaining (1958)"
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Union Executive Secretary, Committee for Democracy in Labor Unions
489:(October 28, 1958). "Right-to-Work Forces Outspent 3-1 by Labor".
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Benjamin H. Swig, President Fairmont Hotel Company, San Francisco
121:, California Coordinator, Committee for Democracy in Labor Unions
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outspent the supporters three to one. It was reported that
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Failed amendments to the Constitution of California
111:August E. Sommerfield, Former Steward, Local 170,
491:The Washington Post and Times-Herald (1954–1959)
441:"Irene Dunne Will Work to Help Proposition 18".
456:"Bryan Son Takes Post in Right-to-Work Group".
471:"Prop. 18 Fees Report Costs of $ 1,241,196".
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207:The Board of Rabbis of Southern California
363:. UCHastings Law Library. Archived from
192:Charles J. Smith, Director District 38,
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210:The Catholic Council on Working Life
200:California State Federation of Labor
198:C.J. Haggerty, Secretary- Treasurer
124:Howard B. Wyatt, Member, Local 626,
541:1958 California ballot propositions
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556:Initiatives in the United States
204:Church Federation of Los Angeles
185:Attorney General Edmund G. Brown
194:United Steelworkers of America
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505:"EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONS"
138:destroy industrial relations
21:was on the November 4, 1958
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180:Governor Goodwin J. Knight
175:Chief Justice Earl Warren
113:Sheetmetal Workers Unions
40:Railway Labor Act of 1926
23:California ballot measure
19:California Proposition 18
290:"1958 California Ballot"
61:Taft-Hartley Act of 1947
57:Taft-Hartley Act of 1947
48:Taft Hartley Act of 1947
561:Politics of California
101:William Jennings Bryan
546:History of labour law
475:. September 30, 1958.
460:. September 10, 1958.
445:. September 26, 1958.
170:Vice President Nixon
160:President Eisenhower
154:Opposition includes:
70:The creation of the
249:William F. Knowland
119:Retail Clerks Union
94:Supporters include:
72:McClellan Committee
65:right-to-work laws
44:Wagner Act of 1935
410:. Ballotpedia.org
394:Los Angeles Times
370:on 11 August 2014
245:Goodwin J. Knight
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509:Propositions
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106:Irene Dunne
535:Categories
306:2013-06-07
259:References
78:Proponents
52:union shop
46:, and the
34:Background
150:persons.
133:Opponents
126:Teamsters
473:LA Times
458:LA Times
443:LA Times
221:Spending
235:Results
59:. The
414:2 June
374:30 May
368:(PDF)
361:(PDF)
300:(PDF)
293:(PDF)
416:2013
376:2013
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