New Mexico § 50-2-1 - Findings and policies

§ 50-2-1. Findings and policies

A. Findings. Hearings conducted by the McClellan committee of the United States senate, without

reflecting upon the aims or integrity of the vast majority of employers and labor

unions have disclosed collusive, coercive and corrupt practices indulged in by a small

minority of irresponsible employers and leaders of labor unions. These practices, which shock the conscience of our citizens and are deplored by all

right thinking people, have been tolerated and encouraged by the absence of appropriate

statutory prohibitions and declared governmental policy. New Mexico, on the threshold of its greatest era of economic development, for the

welfare and protection of its citizens, should by statute eliminate those practices

which are so destructive to good employee-employer relationships, and which in many

cases have been shown to have resulted in a denial of the civil liberties of many

persons. The legislature finds that the coercive and collusive practices prohibited herein

represent a serious menace to the peace, safety, morals and welfare of the people

of this state. The elimination of such practices by affording effective relief therefrom is a necessary

condition to the realization of personal freedom for the employee, the encouragement

of employee representation according to the free will of the employees and for their

greater welfare, and the protection of the public interest generally. B. Public Policy. In interpretation and the application of this act, it is hereby declared to be the

public policy of this state to mitigate and eliminate certain coercive and collusive

practices of labor organizations and employers with the view of promoting and protecting

the exercise by employees of the fullest possible freedom with respect to self-organization,

choice of bargaining representative, collective bargaining and all other legitimate

concerted activities, it being fully recognized by the legislature that employees

should have an equal freedom to refrain from any such activity or activities except

to the extent that such freedom may be limited by a valid agreement in writing requiring

membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment.