The variety of shirts under the bright sunshine provided a sea of color for speakers to praise Tuesday afternoon, as lawmakers joined with around 3,000 union members and supporters to rally against proposed changes to Missouri labor laws.
"Seventeen bills to repeal labor-management laws that protect construction wage in Missouri are being considered this (legislative) session," said State Sen. Tim Green, D-Spanish Lake, a veteran lawmaker who also is a union electrical worker.
"The reason for this rally is so the actual workers can educate their elected officials of the negative impact of this legislation - and how it will have a harmful effect on the ability of all of you to provide for your families."
Gov. Jay Nixon told the crowd his administration intends to continue protecting the rights of working families.