International Association of Machinists v. Street

International Association of Machinists v. Street was a 1961 U.S. Supreme Court case that examined whether a union's efforts to organize workers could be considered free speech protected by the First Amendment or if they were akin to illegal picketing. The Court ruled that union activities aimed at organizing or persuading workers about unionization are protected free speech, even if they temporarily obstruct work, as long as the conduct doesn’t cross into unlawful or violent actions. This case clarified the balance between workers' rights to organize and employers' rights to maintain order.