Prop A Shot Down, Missourians Reject Right-to-Work Legislation
Voters across Missouri united Tuesday to push back against big business, overwhelmingly rejecting an attempt to enact right-to-work legislation in the state.
Voting two-to-one, hardworking Missourians overturned the 2017 RTW legislation forced through by the state Legislature and former governor after years of failed attempts, thereby preserving the ability of workers to band together to negotiate contracts with higher wages, better benefits, and that ensure workers’ safety.
Despite corporate-backed legislators and RTW supporters attempt to swing the vote by moving the referendum to the August primary ballot, the people of Missouri were not fooled.
“Missourians understand the strength that comes from speaking with one unified voice,” said John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727. “Tuesday’s resounding “No” not only shot down anti-worker RTW legislation, it also guaranteed Missouri unions the power to improve the quality of life of all workers—union and non-union alike.”
RTW laws are designed to lower wages, weaken the collective bargaining power of workers, and inflate the bank accounts of top corporate officers. Employees in states where RTW legislation has taken hold—no matter if they belong to a union or not—on average receive less pay, experience higher poverty levels, struggle with higher unemployment rates, and suffer from a greater percentage of workplace injuries and fatalities than workers in free bargaining states.
“The people of Missouri saw through the lies of corporate interest groups. They understand there are no benefits to supporting anti-worker RTW laws,” said Coli. “I applaud our Brothers and Sisters in the labor movement who fought tooth and nail to protect their collective bargaining power.”
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or additional grievance. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: Politics
