Missouri lawmakers are debating a bill to protect the rights of employees and businesses.
Missouri may soon join the ranks of 25 other states by approving Right-to-Work legislation, potentially ending heavy-handed labor organization mandates for certain industries.
House Bill 116 would not require any person as a condition of their employment to become or refrain from being a member of a labor organization, pay dues or fees for a labor union, or pay to any charity or another third party the equivalent amount of dues or fees. Employees affected by federal laws are excluded from the exemption, including the railway and airline industries.
NFIB/Missouri members have consistently voiced that small business people want Right to Work for their state, says NFIB/Missouri state director Brad Jones.
“[The members] see it as not having Right to Work puts Missouri at a economic development disadvantage,” says Jones. “From a small business standpoint and an economic development standpoint, we’re kind of behind and obviously missing out on some job opportunities by not being a Right to Work state.”
Several groups, including NFIB and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, support Right to Work for Missouri. The chamber urged the Senate to act on the bill soon and not to allow Missouri to fall behind other states approving similar measures.
“The Senate action on Right to Work comes as Missouri is falling behind other states in adopting this job-creating legislation,” said a statement from the chamber. “The Missouri Chamber is strongly advocating for the passage of Right to Work this session in order to help Missouri compete for jobs and business growth.”
Right to Work legislation often comes under criticism that it diminishes the strength of union workers. However, it can actually provide more liberties to Americans by voiding mandates and expensive fees for employees in certain industries, according to the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.
“A Right to Work law secures the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union,” the group states on their website.
Jones agrees with this sentiment.
“It’s really more of a question of workers’ rights,” he says. “Why should a worker be required to join a union if they in fact don’t believe in it? Why should they pay dues?”
The bill was approved by the House in February, with 91 votes in favor of the legislation. It has since been approved by the Senate Committee on Small Business, Insurance and Industry.
