CLEVELAND, June 5 — Organized labor scored a major victory on June 4 as Governor Jay Nixon vetoed legislation that would have made Missouri the 26th Right To Work state in America.
In a statement regarding his veto of House Bill 116, Gov. Nixon said: “This extreme measure would take our state backward, squeeze the middle-class, lower wages for Missouri families, and subject businesses to criminal and unlimited civil liability. Right To Work is wrong for Missouri, it’s wrong for the middle-class — and it must never become the law of the Show-Me-State.”
He vetoed the bill at UAW Local 249 in Kansas City with scores of union members and supporters in attendance. Missouri State Legislative Board Chairman Brian Kelley represented the BLET at the veto ceremony.
“It was an honor to be there,” Brother Kelley said. “There was so much energy and emotion in the air you could feel it.”
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce thanked Brother Kelley and all involved for their efforts to lobby against the anti-worker legislation.
“First and foremost, a big thank you goes out to all BLET Brothers and Sisters and their families in Missouri who took the time to make their voices heard on this issue. Also, Brother Kelley has gone above and beyond the call of duty in fighting against the Right To Work bill in Missouri, and he deserves our thanks for all his hard work and dedication. I also would like to recognize National Vice President Jim Louis and BLET National Mobilization Coordinator–West Paul Aird for orchestrating our membership response through the Mobilization network,” President Pierce said.
Supporters of the bill are lobbying the Missouri House and Senate in an attempt to override the Governor’s veto. The BLET is monitoring the situation closely and will launch another mobilization drive, if necessary, to help oppose these anti-union efforts.
President Pierce and Brother Kelley also thanked Gov. Nixon for vetoing the bill and standing up for labor, their families and the middle-class.
“I called the governor’s office and told his staff to thank him,” Brother Kelley said. “We cannot thank him enough… that is for sure!”