The Missouri House is expected to debate today bills that would make it the latest right-to-work state.
House Speaker John Diehl leads a 117-member Republican supermajority in the Missouri House. (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)
House Speaker John Diehl, Junior, wants to see Missouri pass a so-called ‘right to work’ law, which would bar unions from collecting fees from non-member workers. He said Missouri is competing with six neighboring states that have such a law.
“If you look at how much of the state’s economy is on the border of another state, you would realize that on a daily basis, Missouri’s city’s compete with neighboring states for jobs and for companies relocating,” said Diehl.
Diehl said some employers won’t consider coming to Missouri because it isn’t a right-to-work state.
“In order to be competitive in today’s economy you need to give workers freedom and give workers options on where they want to work,” said Diehl.
Opponents say right-to-work laws allow non-union members to enjoy the benefits of union membership without paying for them, and say the bill would weaken unions and that would lead to lower wages.
At question is whether supporters have enough votes to pass Right-to-Work over a veto by Governor Jay Nixon (D). There are many Republicans in the House who don’t support it.
The House has two right-to-work bills to consider, plus a third sponsored by Representative Courtney Curtis (D-Berkeley) that would apply only to the construction industry.
Earlier stories:
House members consider making Missouri a so-called ‘right to work’ state
‘Right to work’ backers, opponents both see win in House vote (from 2014)
