JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. —The AFL-CIO is announcing that today at 4:00 pm they will retain Steve Tilley, John Parris of Bardgett & Associates, Danny Pfiefer, and Greg Porter to lobby against Right-to-Work legislation, likely changing the political landscape on the issue.
“Labor has always enjoyed a good working relationship with Steve Tilley from his time on the House floor to his service as Speaker of the House,” Mike Louis, Secretary Treasurer with the AFL-CIO said. “His willingness to support Missouri’s working families and look for bipartisan solutions to create jobs in our state has earned our respect. Now, we look forward to working with Steve and his team of John, Danny and Greg. It is time for this legislature to start focusing their attention on real priorities like job creation instead of unfair and unnecessary ‘right to work’ bills.”
The team, reportedly led by Tilley, will be working closely with labor representatives to defeat legislation that they contend weakens unions and lowers employee wages.
“I am looking forward to working with labor and members of the General Assembly on the many issues where labor and business and partner to see Missouri’s economy grow,” Tilley said.
Dave Cook President of the UFCW commented this was just another stage in the fight against Right to Work.
“We have always engaged outside counsel in helping us navigate the legislative process,” Cook said. “We are continuing that practice with Former Speaker Tilley and this team including John Parris with Bardgett and Associates. They have strong relationships on both sides of the aisle and we are happy to have them on our team fighting for workers rights and wages.”
Republican lawmakers like House Speaker Tim Jones and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder have been aggressively pushing Right to Work legislation this year, possibly heading towards a ballot initiative on the August 2014 ballot.
Labor unions gained momentum earlier this month after the moving testimony of Shannon Cooper representing the Carpenter’s Union describing his opposition to Right to Work after supporting it while in the General Assembly.
Republican Senators reacted warmly to the development:
“I appreciate they’re getting engaged in the conversation,” Sen. Gary Romine, R-Ste. Genevieve County, said. “Engaging someone like John [Parris] to be part of that, who has relationships, is important.”
“I think it shows they’re taking it more seriously,” Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, said. “The reality is that Republicans are in charge of both chambers, and they need to continue to reach across the aisle.”
Democratic reaction was immediately positive:
“I think that the new addition of Steve Tilley to the AFL-CIO lobbying team demonstrates that this farcical Right to Work legislation isn’t a partisan issue but rather, a radical idea being pushed by a handful of powerful extremists on the fringes of the Republican party.” Said Rep. Jeff Roorda D-Barnhart
“It’s always good to add more people to our efforts to protect working families,” Rep. Jeremy LaFaver, D-Kansas City, said. “Add [these lobbyists] to the majority of Missourians who recognize the importance of a well-trained and fairly compensated workforce.”
Leading house conservative, Rep. Ron Hicks, R-St. Peters, said the new lobbyists were a smart hire.
“All I can say is that they just hired really strong lobbyists who will fight to get the job done for them,” Hicks said.
Reporter Ben Kleine contributed to this report.
