The Third Appellate District reversed a judgment. The court held that the Moscone Act and Labor Code §1138.1, which limit a court’s power to interfere with speech pertaining to a labor dispute, unconstitutionally deprived a private property owner of the right to enjoin an unwanted trespass.
Ralphs Grocery Company owned a large warehouse grocery store in Sacramento. The store was located in a retail development called College Square. The store employees were not represented by a union. When attempts to unionize the store were unsuccessful, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 8 picketed the store. Union members walked back and forth in front of the store entrance, carrying picket signs and handing out flyers. Ralphs provided the picketers with written copies of its rules, which prohibited handing out flyers and standing within 20 feet of the store entrance. The picketers remained peaceful, but ignored the rules.
