What is the CHurch's Standpoint and View On: Right to Work Laws (Unions)?
"No one…can deny that in many places and under adverse conditions labor must have some organization in order to protect its members against exploitation. Furthermore, labor is entitled to a fair return for its work. What is a fair return is not a fixed sum, but is dependent upon the economic conditions of a given time and in a given place. It can never be an amount that does not leave some profit to the owner else the owner closes up and labor is without work. But labor is not compelled to work…the opposite of this principle is also true: Every man has a right to work…Labor may not legally, nor in wisdom for themselves, engage in sabotage. Labor may not legally, nor in wisdom for labor, intimidate or coerce the worker. The worker must be left free to work when he will, be idle when he will, and to work for what he wishes, when he wishes, and where he wishes…there must be no 'closed shop' because this means the denial of the divine right to work. It is not necessary for the protection of labor and sets up a labor tyranny which too often falls under the direction of concepts, ideals, and pernicious practices… Sabotage, intimidation, coercion, the 'closed shop' are un-American, un-democratic, uneconomic, criminal and wholly contrary to the principles upon which any stable society can and must be organized. No true patriot can foster, promote, or take part in any such activities or in any organization making use of them. No Church member can engage in any such activities thereto and yet maintain in his heart the spirit of the Master…"
-The First Presidency, The Deseret News, November 1941
"While there is no reason why workmen should not join together for their mutual protection and benefit, there is every reason why in so doing they should regard the rights of their fellows…It is not easy to see how the Latter-day Saints can endorse the methods of modern day labor unions…"
-Joseph F. Smith, August and June of 1903; included by First Presidency in later statement
"Latter-day Saints should avoid affiliation with any committee, any group, any union that would, through coercion of force, deprive a person of the free exercise of his or her freedom of choice. It is understood, of course, that any person is free to join a union, when to do so favors his best interests; but no one should be compelled to join, or be deprived of any right as a citizen, including the right to honest labor, if he chooses not to become a member of a union or especially organized group."
-David O. McKay, Conference, April 1940
"We believe it is fundamental that the right to voluntary unionism should once again be re-established in this nation and that State right-to-work laws should be maintained inviolate..."
-David O. McKay, Church News, June 26, 1965
-The First Presidency, The Deseret News, November 1941
"While there is no reason why workmen should not join together for their mutual protection and benefit, there is every reason why in so doing they should regard the rights of their fellows…It is not easy to see how the Latter-day Saints can endorse the methods of modern day labor unions…"
-Joseph F. Smith, August and June of 1903; included by First Presidency in later statement
"Latter-day Saints should avoid affiliation with any committee, any group, any union that would, through coercion of force, deprive a person of the free exercise of his or her freedom of choice. It is understood, of course, that any person is free to join a union, when to do so favors his best interests; but no one should be compelled to join, or be deprived of any right as a citizen, including the right to honest labor, if he chooses not to become a member of a union or especially organized group."
-David O. McKay, Conference, April 1940
"We believe it is fundamental that the right to voluntary unionism should once again be re-established in this nation and that State right-to-work laws should be maintained inviolate..."
-David O. McKay, Church News, June 26, 1965