'Right-To-Work' Proposition A Defeated In Missouri

MISSOURI — Proposition A has been defeated in Missouri. The anti-union ballot measure would have ratified a bill passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by former Gov. Eric Greitens last year, making Missouri the country's 28th right-to-work state. After the bill was passed, however, more than 300,000 Missourians signed petitions to throw the issue to voters, who soundly rejected it.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers released a statement after the measure was voted down.

“Working Families across Missouri and this nation won tonight," said Robert Martinez Jr., the union's president. "They beat back the corporate CEOs’ attempt to decrease wages, lower median household income, increase poverty, and undermine workplace safety. But most importantly, the majority of Missouri voters rejected and exposed the radical agenda being pushed by anti-union corporations."

Steve McDerman, Directing Business Representative of IAM 837 in St. Louis, also praised the bill's defeat.

“It’s about time the middle class stood up and told these crooked politicians enough is enough," he said. "We’re tired of it. Today is a great day in the state of Missouri. But we’re not done. We must get out the vote again this November. We must show politicians who vote and pass legislation aimed at hurting workers that the working people of Missouri don’t forget. We’re going to vote these crooks out this November.”

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce refused to offer a concession. Instead, the Chamber cited other strides the state has made in recent years, such as tax reform, and said right-to-work legislation remains a "worthy goal."

“This is not a concession,” the business group said in a statement. "With the future of our state’s economy on the line, we cannot concede hope that Missouri will soon join most other states and pass freedom to work protections."

The political website FiveThirtyEight said the bill's defeat was a substantial victory for Missouri unions.

If left intact, the law would have stripped unions across the state of their ability to collect dues for collective bargaining and other services.

"If adopted, [the right-to-work bill] will amend Missouri law to prohibit, as a condition of employment, forced membership in a labor organization (union) or forced payments of dues or fees...to a union," according to the proposition's fair ballot language.

Workers can already avoid paying full union dues under Missouri's current law, but can be forced to pay for collective bargaining and other services that benefit union and non-union members alike.

Proponents say right-to-work states generally enjoy higher economic growth than non-right-to-work states, and that no one should be forced to pay union dues against their will. Opponents point to higher poverty rates in right-to-work states and say that, while right-to-work laws may boost companies' bottom lines, they do so at the expense of the middle class and workers. As for being forced to pay union dues, critics say Prop A would protect freeloaders who benefit from unions but don't want to contribute.

Polls are now closed, but if you're in line stay there. Polls are legally required to stay open until all in line have voted. Check back with Patch for statewide results and local results as they come in, and stay with us for up-to-date coverage throughout the day.

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