JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In the second half of session, lawmakers are divided on how to handle the Right-to-Work legislation in the Capitol. While some leaders, like House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder have thrown their full support behind RTW bills, Senate leaders like Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, are in no hurry to fight the battle.
In the House, some members of the majority caucus are wary of bringing RTW to the floor. One bill before the House would make Missouri a RTW state through statute while another would put the matter on the ballot for the 2014 election cycle.
But with Gov. Jay Nixon promising a veto on any statutory change, a ballot measure remains the only avenue for RTW proponents. With threat of a Democratic filibuster in the senate, the lukewarm support from Senate leadership and the possibility of a higher Democratic turnout and electoral backlash in 2014, some Republicans in the House are hoping the chamber avoids the issue as much as possible.
“My approach has previously been that unless it’s going to be a legislative priority that includes the Senate then it’s not really worth putting members of our caucus in jeopardy over an issue that’s not likely to impact public policy,” Rep. Dave Hinson, R-St. Clair, said. “However, I am completely against passing a Right-to-Work bill that does not include an amendment that makes it clear that non-union members do not receive the same rights as dues paying members. There’s nothing conservative about a non-union member getting the same benefits that a union member pays for.”
“I can’t speak for the caucus, but I am one Democrat who does not intend to sit down on Right-to-Work,” said Sen. Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis. “I intend to do everything in my power to prevent Right-to-Work from becoming law.”
House members intend to caucus on the RTW strategy later today before gaveling in. Hinson said he wasn’t sure the votes for a RTW bill existed.
“Keep in mind we have a lot of members with union constituents,” Hinson said.
House leadership, while largely supportive of RTW as an issue, are expected to let the caucus vote on whether or not to move the issue to the floor.
Labor Leaders like Jeff Aboussie, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council, said he hoped labor relationships with Republicans would keep RTW from reaching the floor.
“Through working on Doe Run and many other economic development issues, we’ve established great relationships with many Republican caucus members,” Aboussie said. “I hope leadership doesn’t force them down a road that makes it harder to build new relationships. I urge them to think about the employer and realize many employers with union workforces want to keep it that way, and the legislature should be working on issues that impact all Missourians rather than targeting 9 percent of the workforce.”
Minority Floor Leader Jacob Hummel, D-St. Louis, said he expected the entire Democratic caucus to be “in lockstep” against RTW. His sentiments were echoed in the Senate.
“I think we should filibuster if it comes up,” said Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, “We should never compromise on this issue, we should be willing to die on the sword for this one. Union members aren’t complaining about having to pay dues, and I think that this is just an attempt by Republicans to weaken the union base before 2016.”
One House Republican, concerned about his bills that are currently moving through committee, told The Missouri Times, “I simply don’t see a path for this to become law. If I did, I’d be one of the first to support it. I just see this as a way for some members in leadership to raise money, not for the caucus, but for them to spend on a statewide office run.”
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
