Labor Union To Fight Governor Over Contracts

A labor union that represents thousands of state workers contends the contracts it has with state agencies remain valid, despite Governor Matt Blunt’s move to revoke state worker collective bargaining rights. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees General Counsel John Miller disagrees with Blunt’s assertion that AFSCME’s contracts aren’t valid, because they weren’t approved by the General Assembly. Miller points out the contracts were reached with agencies under the Governor’s – not the Legislature’s – authority. Blunt disagrees. He says he isn’t worried about AFSCME’s threat of legal action to enforce the contracts. He says his administration is willing to defend its conclusion.