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Breaking: Missouri Poised to Become the Next Right to Work State


Yesterday, the Republican controlled Missouri House gave initial approval to the passage of a right to work bill by a 101 - 58 vote that mainly fell along party lines (although there was a lone Democratic vote in favor of the bill's passage).  

For those needing a refresher, right to work laws prohibit labor contracts that require all workers who benefit from union representation to have to pay mandatory union dues, even if the worker is not part of the union.  Democrats traditionally oppose these laws as an improper attempt to 'union bust' and cut funding from unions (by not requiring workers who benefit from the union & its collective bargaining, but are not members, to receive a free benefit of the bargain without compensating the union in return).  Republicans on the other hand counter that forcing workers who are not part of a union to be required to pay union dues as a condition of employment is improper.

Readers might recall that when Democratic Governor Jay Nixon was in office, Missouri Republicans lacked a veto proof majority to overcome Nixon's disapproval of right to work.  However, now that Republican Governor Eric Greitens has indicated he will sign the right to work bill should it reach his desk, this is likely a matter of when, not if, Missouri will become the next right to work state.

For those wondering what Democrats could do to stop the bill, the short answer is likely very little.  Democrats had attempted to stall passage of House Bill 91 (the right to work bill) by requiring that the matter be put before voters to decide.  However, that effort failed as Relublicans argued that by voters electing Republicans to control the state legislature and the governor's office, they made their preference clear for right to work to become law.

House Bill 91 now requires final approval in the House (which could occur today) before moving to the Senate for debate (likely approval), then to the Governor's desk for his signature.  I would expect Missouri to become the next right to work state possibly by the end of January or by early February if things go as expected.


For additional information:  http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/right-to-work-law-advances-in-missouri-house/article_fb2794f4-080e-57ea-aa32-038648b11baf.html

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