Right to Work showdown emerges in Missouri elections

The Gubernatorial election pits two candidates on the opposite sides of an important labor issue
(PR NewsChannel) / September 13, 2016 / JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. 

Missouri_State_SealFollowing the primary elections in Missouri last month, it has become abundantly clear that each party’s respective candidate for governor could not be further apart on major issues, specifically when it comes to a potential Right to Work law, which is currently being fought over by pro-union groups and business interests.

On the Republican ticket, former Navy SEAL Eric Greitens has vowed that if elected, he will make Missouri a Right to Work state. Conversely, Democratic candidate Chris Koster, who is currently the state’s Attorney General, claims that any effort to pass a Right to Work law during his administration would be swiftly and decisively defeated.

Both candidates are vying to replace Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat and longtime friend of labor unions.

Because there are so many issues at stake in this election, labor experts around the country are watching with great interest.

“This is going to be an extraordinarily important election cycle,” said Richard Dalton, business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18 in Ohio. “This Election Day could impact the livelihoods of hard working Missourians for years to come if a Right to Work candidate gets into office.”

If Greitens wins and a Right to Work law is passed, years of labor laws in Missouri could be repealed. Even though labor unions are aiding Koster’s campaign, business interests are lining up behind Greitens by contributing large amounts of money to his campaign.

“All of the money in the world won’t help the business community institute Right to Work,” says Dalton. “The people of Missouri know too well that wherever such laws are implemented, working families suffer.”

Koster is currently leading Greitens by double digits in the polls.

A Right to Work law permits working individuals in certain industries to operate without paying the necessary labor union dues – dues that they would otherwise be required to pay.

Opponents of Right to Work measures claim that the laws lead to lower wages, decreased worker rights and ultimately hurt the middle-class.

For more information on Right to Work in Ohio, visit: http://protectohiosmiddleclass.org

Direct link:  https://prnewschannel.com/2016/09/13/right-to-work-showdown-emerges-in-missouri-elections/

SOURCE:  Keep Ohio's Heritage


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