Abstract

Ballot Poison for Labor

In this article, the author focuses on issues concerning American labor movements and trade unionism, specially in Oregon and Washington. He describes that the head of trade unionism might be considerd as the most drastic anti-labor legislation proposed in the U.S. for half a century. On the ballot in these two Far Western states is a pair of initiative measures drafted to annihilate the labor movement. Labor unions in the region would be reduced to empty shells. Strikes and boycotts would be rendered illegal. Unions would not be permitted to collect funds for political or economic action. Section 1 of the Oregon bill outlaws any strike or labor dispute not between would completely demolish the craft-union structure of the American Federation of Labor. The bill is not content merely to forbid strikes. It also forbids practically all other forms of trade-union activity.