Proposition 18, also known as the "right-to-work" law, was a California ballot measure in the 1958 election. This proposition was an initiative to amend Article I of the California Constitution by adding Section 1-A, stating voluntarily, instead of compulsory, union membership as a condition for holding one's job. This amendment would have made labor contracts compelling workers to join a union as a condition to hold their jobs illegal. The proposition did not pass.
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Background
After the passage of the Railway Labor Act of 1926 and Wagner Act of 1935, labor unions significantly changed. There was a shift from craft-unions to industrial-unions, ultimately changing the 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 Taft-Hartley Act of 1947. The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, still in effect today, forbids certain practices by unions, including forcing workers to join a union, and allowed states to elect to pass right-to-work laws.
Supporters
The argument in favor for Proposition 18 declared that it protected workers from any unethical practices by employers or union leaders. Supporters also claimed that passing the right-to-work law in California would help rid of disloyal union leaders. Another argument in favor for the proposition was to ensure all union members pay because they are benefiting from the union. Instead of having free riders, everyone would contribute to union dues.
Supporters include:
Opposition
Opposers argued that this measure would harm employee-employer relationships, and turn them against each other. Many public leaders, both national and state, condemned the proposition. Moreover, religious affiliates, including Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish institutions The opposition also argued that the "free riders" argument the proposition used was not valid because not all members felt that they benefited from the union. Moreover, many workers did not feel compelled to join because their beliefs did not align with the union's.
Opposition includes:
Spending
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 outspent the supporters three to one. It was reported that General Electric was the biggest supporter of the proposition residing outside of California, with the majority being spend on advertising. The largest out-of-state check written for the opposition was by the National Council for Industrial Peace in Washington.