JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — More than 3,000 union and non-union members flooded the Capitol today to voice opposition to what they called anti-middle class policies. Unions from across the state swarmed the building to push legislators away from issues like paycheck protection, changes to prevailing wage, and Right-to-Work.
Attorney General Chris Koster, who intends to run for Governor in 2016, told the crowd a story about the Rulo Bridge, which connects Holt County, Mo. to Richardson County, Neb. The bridge is being rebuilt by both states with workers meeting in the middle. Nebraska’s Right-to-Work status meant lower wages for Rulo workers, Koster said
“The Missouri workers on that project were making more than $31 an hour,” Koster said. “In Nebraska, where they are a Right-to-Work state, workers were making $8 an hour. That’s what Right-to-Work looks like. Two sets of workers doing the same work, but their lives are so different. That contractor in Nebraska was eventually shamed, just shamed, into paying the Missouri wage to his workers.
More than 24 Democrats made appearances at the rally, and several addressed the crowd. Among the speakers were Gov. Jay Nixon, State Treasuerer Clint Zwiefel, Secretary of State Jason Kander, Rep. Jacob Hummel and Sen. Jamilah Nasheed.
The Missouri Building and Construction Trades Council organized the event, and national AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department President Sean McGarvey keynoted the event, calling Missouri’s battle a “microcosm” of the debate across the country.
“If Right-to-Work hasn’t worked in the states where it has been around for decades, how can it possibly work here?” McGarvey told the crowd. “We’ve got all the evidence we need that it doesn’t do us any good.”
McGarvey said Missouri’s battle was indicative of a larger battle between labor and powerful, self-interested businesses across the country. He said defeating Right-to-Work in Missouri would build momentum against the issue in other states.
“You sent the message in 1978 and you can send it now,” McGarvey said.
Labor legislation has largely been a focus in the House, where paycheck protection has passed for several consecutive years and where Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, says Right-to-Work is a top priority. The Senate is not as sold on the issue. Senate Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, told reporters earlier this year that Right-to-Work would not be a major priority for him, and last year a paycheck protection bill failed to override a veto from Nixon after two out-state Republican senators switched their votes.
But that hasn’t stopped union leaders, Democrats and even some Republicans from rallying against anti-labor laws. Republican chair of the Economic Development Committee in the House, Anne Zerr, told union members at the crowd that working with union “was good business sense.”
“Don’t forget who was with you from the beginning,” Zerr said. “The Democrats have been with you and they’ve been your allies, and don’t you forget it.”
Minority Leader Jacob Hummel told the rally that the attack on labor was unprecedented.
“Not since 1978 has our way of life been under such attack,” Hummel, a union member, said. “People sometimes say it must be hard to lead Democrats in Missouri right now. And it is hard, but I’m honored to do it. And one day, when I’m done and I go home, I’ll be able to look back and say I fought against Right-to-Work and I helped beat it back.”
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
