Mo. unlikely to follow Michigan lead on union law

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

By CHRIS BLANK

Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri legislative leaders said it would be difficult to follow the lead of Michigan lawmakers who approved a right-to-work plan Tuesday banning requirements that workers pay dues to unions for negotiating contracts and other services.

Republican leaders in the Missouri House and Senate said enacting their own version likely would require gubernatorial support, even with GOP supermajorities that give a unified Republican caucus the power to override vetoes. Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon won a second term last month.

House Speaker Tim Jones said some of his caucus members would face a difficult vote on a right-to-work measure. For the idea to be seriously considered in Missouri, Jones said there would need to be leadership from the governor’s office and agreement among the business community.

“I think we’re going to require first what Michigan has, and that’s a strong, conservative, Republican governor who is willing to lead on that issue,” said Jones, of Eureka. “Without a governor who is willing to lead on that strong of a pro-growth issue, taking on a very entrenched status quo, the Legislature is not going to be able to fight that battle all on its own.”

Jones said Missouri legislators during the 2013 session that starts Jan. 9 could consider proposals dealing with prevailing wage requirements for governmental entities in construction projects and requiring workers give permission for unions to spend their dues for political purposes.

Right-to-work legislation has been discussed in Jefferson City during recent years, but it generally has not gained significant traction.

Nixon expressed opposition to a 2011 proposal, saying he does not think “backing up on worker protections” is necessary to improve Missouri’s economy.

Attention to labor policies surfaced most recently after Republicans in Michigan moved quickly to introduce and push through right-to-work legislation. The Michigan Legislature passed two bills Tuesday, with one focused on private-sector workers and the other dealing with government employees. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who previously was a business executive, is expected to sign legislation that would make his state the 24th with right-to-work laws.

Missouri Senate Republican leader Tom Dempsey said he believes a right-to-work law would help Missouri compete for manufacturing jobs and that many GOP lawmakers would support the legislation.

“But Gov. Nixon has made his position clear, and the votes are not there to override the objections of the governor,” said Dempsey, R-St. Charles.

———

Associated Press writer David A. Lieb contributed to this report.

More like this story

Crump 5 months, 1 week ago

It takes real leadership to do the right thing. Four out of five new jobs are going to right to work states. If our legislative leaders are to worried about re-election to make the right choice for our state, maybe we elected the wrong people in the first place.

RobHunterJohnson 5 months, 1 week ago

I hope the Republican super majority has been watching their TV sets, we have some very good Republican Representation that understands Labor and its connection to Missouri! I hope it never comes to what Michigan is going through here! Rob

Crump 5 months, 1 week ago

You probably don't have to worry about it here. It would be funny to see all of the St. Louis goons come to town. Our legislators don't have the kahuns to attempt this.

tigger2118c 5 months, 1 week ago

What "goons" do you speak of?

JCLifer 5 months, 1 week ago

I know some of the Williams family members in KC who lead the Teamsters local. They are always nice to me, but I would sure hate to get on their bad side. Those boys sure can drive, too. I've seen them back a Peterbilt sleeper with a loaded 53'er in some real tight holes with ease. Got the opportunity to shake Hoffa's hand, too. Yeah, I had somr respect for the man.

tigger2118c 5 months, 1 week ago

We Union members make up about 10 percent of the workforce in MO, if you think this will solve anything it's just laughable.

RobHunterJohnson 5 months, 1 week ago

tigger don,t let them drag you into this! Rob Pipefitter Local 562

tigger2118c 5 months, 1 week ago

It's quite a sad little life these internet tough guys lead isn't it Rob.

Tyler Collins

Sheet Metal Workers Local 36

RobHunterJohnson 5 months, 1 week ago

It sure is, they have no idea what they wish for, and once they get it they will wish they could get rid of it! No on proposition "B" back in about 80 could have ruined it for all in Missouri! If it would have been passed their wages, and benefits; as well as ours would have been drastically reduced. These two just do not have a clue, don't let them drag you in for they are the one showing their ignorance of workers rights, and what makes Missouri work. Rob Pipefitter Local 562

JCLifer 5 months, 1 week ago

Our wages are already rock bottom around here. How could they go much lower?

tigger2118c 5 months, 1 week ago

Actually not in this field. Talk to anybody Union or not they all benefit from our prevailing wage laws.

RobHunterJohnson 5 months, 1 week ago

JC Just watch them in Michigan, the only ones who will lose will be the employees, both union and non union! The employers and contractors will never miss a one percent! all we have to do is look at Maytag for a very classic example, even the non union employees could not do enough for Maytag, they had to move to Mexico? Rob

JCLifer 5 months, 1 week ago

Thank goodness it is hard to outsource construction work. Forget manufacturing. As long as someone in the world will work for a dollar a day, manufacturing will never come back to the USA.

tigger2118c 5 months, 1 week ago

I don't get how these LOCAL businesses work with the likes of us "goons" Rob... Harold G Butzer (Local's 36/562), Environmental Engineering (Local's 36/562) Meyer Electric (Local 257) Missouri Builders Service and Weathercraft/Natsch (Local's 36/20/513) I could go on and on with LOCAL contractors but I think I've made my point

copcamaro 5 months, 1 week ago

Union member here, 41 years both Carpentars and Ibew, When they started forcing me into COPE (Comitte Of Political Education) donations, I said ENOUGH!!! Also I don't appreciate being told how to vote! Has anyone went by the old HOSTESS bread shop on Dunklin? Count the delivery vans not being used, which means to the uneducated, all those delivery people aren't working. Union or management?

tigger2118c 5 months, 1 week ago

They "told you how to vote"? Those political ads and phone calls must have really confused you then. As far as HOSTEES they first claimed bankruptcy in 2004 also in 2011. The Union members accepted around 100 million dollars in concessions to keep the company a float. I've seen where these HOSTESS CEO'S have accepted a 300 percent increase in pay. If the HOSTESS bread shop being empty disturbs you I would recommend driving around and seeing all the other empty buildings and business places in JC. I'm sure it's because of the unions as well.

RobHunterJohnson 5 months, 1 week ago

copcamaro you would think after 41 years in the Carpenters, and the IBEW you would have learned how to spell carpenter? I was a local 945 member before becoming a local 562 member. I do not recall EVER being asked for money in the carpenters, I have never been asked for money that I was not willing to give to Democrats and Republicans. Why yes we do give to Republicans that are of like mind on Labor. The spouting from you about hostess? The owners drove their company and employees into the ground, and as for you being in the Union, you did not learn a thing about workers! Rob

JCLifer 5 months, 1 week ago

Union apprenticeship training programs for the trades rock. Give me a union craftsman anytime over a scab. I have seen the training and the professional work quality that these folks do vs. the quality of work the local hack do.

Service unions not so much from what I have seen.

tigger2118c 5 months, 1 week ago

Thanks JCLifer.

3633 5 months, 1 week ago

I was in a union for 29 yrs and all the union jobs were protested against things management tried to do to us. If unions were never started then no employee would have sick leave, vacations or personal days. You should check on what unions actually do for employees. Unions also make sure everyone gets a raise when management people get one. So, if you don't know what unions do then find out before you speak!!!!!

online_editor 5 months, 1 week ago

I removed a few comments. Let's try to avoid personal taunting about spelling errors and who's scared about whose comments, which quickly can lead downhill to stronger personal attacks, and instead focus on discussion of issues related to the story. Thanks. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune

Please review our Policies and Procedures before registering or commenting

Or login with:

OpenID

News Tribune