Missouri Senate to debate Right to Work on Monday

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - One of the most divisive issues between businesses and labor groups will be up for debate on Missouri Senate floor Monday.

The Missouri Senate will debate a bill Monday barring employers from forcing workers to pay union fees or dues.

National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation president Mark Mix says letting workers opt out of unions will bring jobs to the state.

"First and foremost it's an individual freedom issue. But secondly, I think it can be demonstrated almost without any argument that freedom in the workplace can translate into a better economic environment," Fix said.

But critics, such as St. Louis Democratic Senator Robin Wright-Jones, say "Right to Work" is actually the "Right to Work for Less," saying the measure would bring lower wages for all workers.

"There's nobody to come to the front of the worker to say this is what we need. There's no bargaining. There's no sit down at the table. And that's how everything is done through compromise. And we've just taken that away," Wright-Jones said.

Wright-Jones says losing those fees would make unions weaker.

She says that cuts their bargaining power and would lead to lower wages.

Elizabeth Hagedorn, Missouri Digital News

Posted in: Missouri Digital News,Missouri Senate,Right to Work,Robin Wright-Jones