American Federation of Labor v. Watson

delivered .the opinion of the Court.

In 1944 Florida adopted an amendment to her Constitution 1 which reads as follows:

“The right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or non-member-, ship in any labor union, or labor organization; provided, that this clause shall not be construed to deny or abridge' the right of employees by and through a labor organization or labor union to bargain collectively with their employer.”

Shortly thereafter this suit was instituted to enjoin the enforcement of that provision on the ground.that it violated the First Amendment,…