After gaining approval from Missouri’s GOP-led House and Senate, the state’s vote on a pending Right to Work bill has been rescheduled from November’s mid-term election to August’s primaries.
The new vote will take place on August 7th.
Initial plans for the change were announced in March by Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston). Right to Work critics condemned the motion as sabotage, citing a higher chance of the controversial measure succeeding due to historically low turnouts in August primaries.
The motion was officially presented to the House in May where, within a week, passed through the whole state legislature.
“What we’re seeing is a partisan effort to tamper with the will of the people,” said Richard Dalton, business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18 in Ohio. “If Missouri Republicans truly believed this bill to be as beneficial to citizens as they claim, they would want as many people to vote on it as possible.”
The August vote comes as the result of efforts by union leaders and activists. Before the bill Gov. Eric Greitens’ signed into law could be implemented, it was halted with a referendum petition. This rarely used tactic gives citizens the chance to veto a decision or law made by their representatives, provided they can show adequate public interest.
With three months and a 90,000-signature goal, petitioners collected over 300,000 signatures by voters hoping to see the law overturned. The bill’s implementation has since been stalled until voters have their say.
“Anyone who has been paying attention to what has been going on in Jefferson City knows the level of dishonesty and dysfunction and this is no different,” said We Are Missouri spokeswoman Erin Schrimpf. “We are confident that come August 7, Missourians will protect their pay by voting no on Proposition A.”
Right to Work is a collection of measures which restrict the abilities of unions. Once in place, workers are no longer required to become a member of their industry’s union and those who do become members aren’t required to pay dues. Unions, however, are required to provide full benefits and protection to all workers regardless of their decision.
The supposed goal is to help business owners save money normally spent on bargaining. These savings would ultimately lead to increased job growth, higher wages and better business for all involved.
Unfortunately, the reality couldn’t be more different. States who have Right to Work laws in place see job growth at a snail’s pace. As unions collapse without financial support, wages, benefits and protections shrivel up. The money saved stays at the top.
“Right to Work wasn’t created with ordinary people in mind. It was made for career politicians to keep their big business donors rich,” said Dalton. “This August, every voter in Missouri must show up and say it loud and clear: We will not accept Right to Work.”
For more information on Right to Work in Ohio, visit: http://protectohiosmiddleclass.org
SOURCE: Keep Ohio's Heritage
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