On Monday Missouri Governor Eric Greitens signed "right-to-work" legislation into law, making Missouri the 28th state to do so. The pro-business measure prohibits labor unions from collecting dues as a condition of employment.
Greitens hopes the law will help lure businesses to Missouri and keep the state competitive with the 27 other states that have adopted similar laws.
Experts say the bill won't necessarily serve as a job creator or a death sentence for unions. However, unions argue the inability to collect dues keeps them from bargaining for important rights and benefits for union workers and also curbs their political influence.
Also on Monday, Missouri AFL-CIO President Mike Louis and Missouri NAACP President Rod Chapel filed a petition with the secretary of state’s office that would to put right to work on the ballot. This petition would allow citizens to block approved legislation before it goes into effect. Louis and Chapel need the support of 5% of voters from two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts by August 28 — the day the right-to-work law is to take effect. If the petition is successful, the issue would go before voters, and the law wouldn't be able to take effect unless a majority of voters approve it in 2018.
(more on Missouri's passage of right-to-work legislation...)
