The Missouri Legislature is a dumpster fire. But Jefferson City is the only state government we have, and the decisions made there directly impact the lives of every union member in Missouri.
As president of the Missouri AFL-CIO, my top priority is making sure union members are represented in the halls of the Capitol. With an anti-Labor governor and anti-Labor super majorities in Jefferson City, the landscape is bleak.
But Missouri Labor is tough. And organized. And we have a few tricks up our sleeves.
I’m proud to report that despite a hostile environment, Missouri unions just had one of the best legislative sessions we have had in years. Here’s a quick rundown:
• No “right-to-work.” No votes. No hearings. No nothing. Our crushing victory over Prop A in 2018, combined with our constant pressure have kept the issue off the table. We must always be vigilant. We need to elect pro-Labor legislators this summer and fall. But we are in a better position than anyone dared to think a few years ago.
• Stalled attacks on public sector. Senator Bob Onder (term limited out) renewed his attack on public workers with his “paycheck deception” garbage. When he attacked, in a hearing, with an amendment on the floor, we were ready. And we beat him. Public Sector unions will be there next year, Senator Onder won’t.
