The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-12-03
RIGHT to- work LAWS MORALLY
WRONG, SAYS CATHOLIC AUTHORITY

Socaed 3rghtowork" laws already adopted II states
and about be considered by legislatures
states were serny condemned recently morally wrong
and violation of mans natural right"
This condemnation of so-called "rghttowork laws,
most fortnight ever published is contained in special article
by Rev. William J. Kelley, OMI LID lecturer at the
Oblae schoasticae Catholic University Washington c.
The article was written at the invitation of the international
Association of Machnists.
Father Kelleys article appearing full
of THE MACHINIST is the first of series socaed fright
towor laws Three clergymen faiths have been
invited by the LAM to weigh the moral values these
writers nave not been limited by policy opinion of
this organization.
Father Kelley who years as chair
man OF the New York State Labor Relations Board
ned the socaed Rigto- according to the teach
ings of his faith Here are his conclusions
Hght-toW ork laws immoral according to Catholic
Social Teaching.
"No man good will should contribute money
to proponents of this legislation defray the educational
pagn To contribute financial aid would be morally
wrong
Cali good and women Protestants Jews and Cath
ocs should seek by just such RghttoWor
laws repealed and should them whenever they
proposed.
Men of good will should be party cooperate
with the proponents of Right-to-Work laws
Right-to-Work bills don't guarantee the individual any
right at ALL They provide him with opportunity to work
alone, to work at less than Union wages.
Right-to- recall the American Plan or Open
Shop Plan of 19201924 which led to low strikes
dustrial unrest.
"Right-toWo may we'll be an invitation to
aster of the general welfare"
Father Kelley has examined various forms union
security that these rghttowork laws prohibit He finds
n all efforts to achieve security clauses collective
gaining contracts is absolutely that such efforts
should be morally achieved and democraca operated There
must be violence force intimidation kind d
rect Indirect exercised by labor in its quest for security
clauses
n Judgment the security provisions with the above
conditions Observed moral matter for collective
bargaining contracts They necessary to the
cur sought in the act of association To deny the of
to obtain just end namely the right of association
is contrary to sound social morality"
After Analysing the II state laws Father Kelley points OUT
'The proponents to ignore mans social responsible
and this legislation they Individual claims before that
the majority of employees given plant The proponents
overlook the fact that union members have marched picket
ines have paid for legal counsel and research
experts to help achieve the good of the to which
he union belongs"
II think for insist that he shall exercise his God
right and duty to work against particular employer and
against the majority rule of his eowworkers is unjust he
continued.
II hold that history tees that the union shop in America
las been stabizing influence in industrial relations.
II hold that the American history testes that open
hop legislation has only led to unrest and low
Il hold that such (ghtowOrk) legislation makes mock
the constitutional right organize for the common good
md welfare"
Father Keeys article bears the official approval of his
ecclesiastical superiors.-THE MACHINIST.
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