RECOMMENDATIONS OF NEW JERSEY STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR
(Excerpts from the State Federation’s “Recommendations for Constitutional Changes,” presented to the Committee on Rights, Privileges, Amendments and Miscellaneous Provisions)
BILL OF RIGHTS Article I
1. Prohibition of Discrimination
An effective and self-implementing prohibition of discrimination on the ground of race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry should be incorporated in Article I. It should assure the freedom from discrimination not only with respect to governmental acts, but also with respect to all rights inherent in the concept of a fair social order, including employment and education, as well as civil, social and political rights and liberties.
2. Rights of Labor to Organize and Bargain Collectively
We recommend the inclusion in the Bill of Rights of a clause, necessary in any modern constitution, providing an effective and self-implementing assurance and protection of the right to organize and bargain collectively. We suggest the following language:
“Employees shall have the right, free from interference or coercion, to form, join, organize or maintain labor organizations of their own choice, for their mutual aid and protection, to bargain collectively with their employers, and to peacefully strike and conduct peaceful activities in support thereof.”
3. Public Housing and Aid to Private Housing
In view of the inclusion of paragraphs 19 and 20 in Article I, we recommend a provision therein enabling the State, the counties and the municipalities to engage in public housing and to provide assistance for private industry in order to eliminate sub-standard dwellings and provide adequate, decent and sanitary dwellings for the people.
4. Avoid the So-called “Equal Rights” Amendment
We desire to express our opposition to the inclusion of any so-called “equal rights” amendment which would abolish the existing laws protecting women in industry, such as the Minimum Wage Law and similar protective legislation.
RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE Article II
1. Eliminate the word “MALE”
Our old Constitution limits the right of suffrage to “male citizens.” This limitation should be removed.
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