For two years, Church State Council leaders had been stymied in their efforts to obtain a “conscience clause” in California law, permitting church members to opt out of labor union membership while paying the equivalent of union dues to a charity. Then, in 1976, two Adventists testified before the California Senate Industrial Relations Committee.

Linus Gailbraith told the committee he had worked as a mechanic for United Airlines for almost 10 years. He joined the Adventist church in 1971. As he studied, he became convinced that union membership was not God’s will, so he decided to resign from the union. The national union denied his request. Galbraith chose to follow his convictions, so he was fired. He began collecting unemployment and had to train for a new line of work. Galbraith urged passage of the bill so others would not have to go through what he did.

Wilma Deal testified next. She had worked for the telephone company for 22 years. When it became unionized, everyone had to join. Rather than be fired and lose everything she had worked for, she chose to retire seven years early.

The "conscience clause" bill passed committee, which had been demonstrably moved by the testimony. Today, no one in America is compelled to join or remain a union member against their religious beliefs. State and federal laws protect against discrimination. Because of people like Galbraith and Deal, your freedom is more secure.