Jefferson City, Mo. – Members of AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) joined SEIU (Service Employees International Union) to meet with and lobby legislators regarding wages, Medicaid Expansion, protecting Missouri’s retirement system, as well as against harmful anti-worker legislation such as so-called Right to Work and Paycheck Deception.
One of the priorities for the activists was to encourage legislators to support a wage increase for the lowest paid state workforce in the country. Workers also spoke with legislators regarding their support for Medicaid Expansion in order to ensure that all Missourians have access to affordable health care.
“In order to recruit and retain the highest quality workforce to care for Missouri’s veterans, children and our most vulnerable citizens, we must be able to pay them accordingly,” said Wendy Battaglia, of Hamilton, who is a CNA at the Cameron Veterans’ Home.
Also on the activists’ radar was legislation such as so-called Right to Work and Paycheck Deception. Activists made clear to legislators that these bills are attacks on workers’ rights and should be soundly defeated if they come up for a vote.
“Right to Work and Paycheck Deception are strictly an attack on our rights to have our voices heard on the job,” said Donna Howard, of Higginsville, who is a Habilitation Specialist at Higginsville Habilitation Center. “Our legislators should know that we need them to focus on creating jobs, not attacking workers.”
The public employees look forward to working with elected officials and will monitor legislation and continue to advocate for fair wages, access to affordable health care for all, retirement dignity, and a right to a voice on the job for all workers.
