Columbia Missourian
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 | 6:00 a.m. CST
BY ROSE NOLEN
COLUMBIA — Thank heavens, the Missouri legislators got it right — the first time. Some workers are still trying to make it to minimum wage. They are not willing to work for free. Fortunately, most of us Missouri residents are not so politically inclined that we would allow politicians to determine how much money we’ll work for.
I refuse to get into a fight over politics. People in my family worked as domestic help for most of their lives. They didn’t have access to union representation. They worked for whatever the people would pay. That was then, this is now. We’re not going back to yesterday. And although some people are determined to do that, I’m not one of them.
I’ve learned over the last few days that some states have governors and majority legislatures of the same political party. Now, this is no accident. People have manipulated the political system to suit themselves. Citizens should have been more mindful and not allowed this to happen.
Some people believe there should be only the poor and the rich. They don’t believe in a middle class. They only want to have poor people beneath them so that they will be able to dictate to them how they should live. You see, this is how we get into these messes in the first place. Some people are determined to have a servant class to work for them. They want to have people who will do all of their work for peanuts.
Union organization broke up that kind of stuff. People who don’t want to pay union dues are not very smart. They don’t understand that they are playing right into management’s hands. Today, some believe that people don’t want to belong to unions. People believe that they can negotiate with management on their own. They don’t realize that it was the unions that opened the door to all the benefits available to workers today.
The bad thing is that our educational system has failed to teach the history of labor in America. We would like everyone to believe that bosses have always been good guys. There was never any child labor. Workplaces have always been safe and humane. We have always worked eight hours a day, five days a week. There has always been overtime and sick days. No one has ever had to fight for these things.
I think that those who want to live in right-to-work states should be allowed to secede. I don’t think that the rest of us should have to support them. Obviously, they don’t want to be paid enough to have a decent lifestyle. It’s wonderful to have successful industries and businesses move into your hometown, but if it doesn’t improve the lifestyles of the citizens who live there, what is the point?
Most people can guess that right to work will not live long in Michigan. The idea will probably follow the lines of leading a horse to water. After all, Michigan was known as the home of the labor union movement. The contributions of that movement to work in America can never be forgotten.
People who have worked hard all their lives in America will always appreciate the sacrifices of the labor movement. Those who have enjoyed an easy time can never imagine the injustices of the past.
Let us continue to build for the future.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
MO Speaker Coming After Workers Rights
Jones considers bid for lieutenant governor, plans effort to curb labor rights
St. Louis Beacon
In Backroom
By Jo Mannies, Beacon political reporter
1:28 am on Fri, 12.14.12
While he’s preparing his agenda for the coming legislative session, new Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones admits that he’s considering another post in state government – lieutenant governor – should it open up.
“We’re definitely considering it,’’ Jones said during an interview Thursday, as he formally opened his new district office in his hometown of Eureka. The event also ended his four-day tour around the state to meet with the public, including supporters and businesspeople, to discuss proposed legislation.
Jones’ interest is the result of Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s decision to consider a bid for the soon-to-be-vacant 8th District congressional seat. Veteran incumbent U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, is resigning her post to become the top executive of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
The announcement by Kinder, a Republican, has prompted political debate over whether his possible shift to Congress would allow Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, to appoint his replacement.
Republicans and a few lawyers in both parties have questioned whether the state constitution allows the governor to appoint a replacement lieutenant governor. Democrats say there’s no question of Nixon’s power and cite previous governors who have filed lieutenant governor vacancies -- most recently in 2000.
Jones, a lawyer, took note of the recent legal opinion to the contrary by Democratic activist Jane Dueker that has been making the rounds of the internet, especially on Twitter.
To circumvent any legal fight, Jones predicted that the state House and Senate – both controlled by large GOP majorities – may finally pass an often proposed bill to require special elections for all vacant statewide offices, thus ending the governor’s role.
“That’s the type of bill, if the governor vetoes, we would have enough votes to override that veto,’’ Jones said.
Such a change also might make it easier for Jones to decide whether to make a serious pitch for lieutenant governor.
Seeks to curb labor clout
In the meantime, Jones is mulling over various other pieces of legislation should he remain speaker for the next two years.
As a result of what he heard during his four-day tour, Jones said that – besides the standard GOP focus on lower taxes and less regulation -- his list of preferred early legislation will likely include what he called “labor reform’’ measures.
Such labor-related proposals, he said, would include a bill to bar payroll deduction of union dues – dubbed “paycheck protection’’ by backers – and a proposal to curb the state’s prevailing-wage requirement for public projects.
Union leaders oppose both measures and see the payroll-deduction ban as a GOP political attempt to cut off money to labor unions, which often back Democrats.
Both sides agree that eliminating the state’s prevailing-wage law would reduce wages for workers on the affected projects. Republican critics of the prevailing wage say that repealing it would save taxpayers' money; prevailing wage supporters say its elimination would result in substandard work.
Jones predicted that the General Assembly could override Nixon's likely vetoes. He characterized the measures as ways to implement key provisions of the controversial right-to-work law, which bars a requirement that workers pay union dues if a majority vote to join a union, without attempting to pass a right-to-work law.
Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, has said that he doesn't believe that he would have enough Senate votes to pass a right-to-work law. The issue most recently has touched off an uproar in Michigan.
St. Louis Beacon
In Backroom
By Jo Mannies, Beacon political reporter
1:28 am on Fri, 12.14.12
While he’s preparing his agenda for the coming legislative session, new Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones admits that he’s considering another post in state government – lieutenant governor – should it open up.
“We’re definitely considering it,’’ Jones said during an interview Thursday, as he formally opened his new district office in his hometown of Eureka. The event also ended his four-day tour around the state to meet with the public, including supporters and businesspeople, to discuss proposed legislation.
Jones’ interest is the result of Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s decision to consider a bid for the soon-to-be-vacant 8th District congressional seat. Veteran incumbent U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, is resigning her post to become the top executive of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
The announcement by Kinder, a Republican, has prompted political debate over whether his possible shift to Congress would allow Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, to appoint his replacement.
Republicans and a few lawyers in both parties have questioned whether the state constitution allows the governor to appoint a replacement lieutenant governor. Democrats say there’s no question of Nixon’s power and cite previous governors who have filed lieutenant governor vacancies -- most recently in 2000.
Jones, a lawyer, took note of the recent legal opinion to the contrary by Democratic activist Jane Dueker that has been making the rounds of the internet, especially on Twitter.
To circumvent any legal fight, Jones predicted that the state House and Senate – both controlled by large GOP majorities – may finally pass an often proposed bill to require special elections for all vacant statewide offices, thus ending the governor’s role.
“That’s the type of bill, if the governor vetoes, we would have enough votes to override that veto,’’ Jones said.
Such a change also might make it easier for Jones to decide whether to make a serious pitch for lieutenant governor.
Seeks to curb labor clout
In the meantime, Jones is mulling over various other pieces of legislation should he remain speaker for the next two years.
As a result of what he heard during his four-day tour, Jones said that – besides the standard GOP focus on lower taxes and less regulation -- his list of preferred early legislation will likely include what he called “labor reform’’ measures.
Such labor-related proposals, he said, would include a bill to bar payroll deduction of union dues – dubbed “paycheck protection’’ by backers – and a proposal to curb the state’s prevailing-wage requirement for public projects.
Union leaders oppose both measures and see the payroll-deduction ban as a GOP political attempt to cut off money to labor unions, which often back Democrats.
Both sides agree that eliminating the state’s prevailing-wage law would reduce wages for workers on the affected projects. Republican critics of the prevailing wage say that repealing it would save taxpayers' money; prevailing wage supporters say its elimination would result in substandard work.
Jones predicted that the General Assembly could override Nixon's likely vetoes. He characterized the measures as ways to implement key provisions of the controversial right-to-work law, which bars a requirement that workers pay union dues if a majority vote to join a union, without attempting to pass a right-to-work law.
Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, has said that he doesn't believe that he would have enough Senate votes to pass a right-to-work law. The issue most recently has touched off an uproar in Michigan.
From the Speaker's Mouth - Anti-Worker Legislation is Coming
Listen to this nine minute interview with Speaker Jones to hear how the Republicans plan to come after labor this year and in the future.
Speaker of the House Tim Jones- We're going to cut off unions' money
In this interview with Dana Loesch, Speaker of the House Tim Jones, R-Eureka, says chances for right to work in Missouri this year are almost nil, but added that he intends to push through legislation that will cripple unions' ability to put money into political campaigns.
http://rturner229.blogspot.com/2012/12/speaker-of-house-tim-jones-were-going.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FASRIt+%28The+Turner+Report%29
Speaker of the House Tim Jones- We're going to cut off unions' money
In this interview with Dana Loesch, Speaker of the House Tim Jones, R-Eureka, says chances for right to work in Missouri this year are almost nil, but added that he intends to push through legislation that will cripple unions' ability to put money into political campaigns.
http://rturner229.blogspot.com/2012/12/speaker-of-house-tim-jones-were-going.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FASRIt+%28The+Turner+Report%29
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Mo. Unlikely to Follow Michigan Lead on Union Law
Election matter. And being ready to organize statewide keeps elected officials honest.
KOMU
Posted: Dec 11, 2012 12:20 PM by Associated Press
Updated: Dec 11, 2012 12:20 PM
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - Missouri Republican leaders say it would be difficult to follow Michigan's lead in passing a "right-to-work" law that prohibits union dues as a condition for employment.
On Tuesday, protesters flooded the Michigan Capitol as lawmakers met to cast final votes.
Missouri House Republican Speaker Tim Jones, of Eureka, says passing a similar law would require strong leadership from the governor and the support of the business community. Republican Senate leader Tom Dempsey, of St. Charles, says numerous senators support a right-to-work law but not enough to overcome a veto.
Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers. Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon previously has called the idea a backward step.
Jones says Missouri lawmakers still could pursue measures dealing with the prevailing wage governmental entities must pay for construction projects and paycheck deductions.
KOMU
Posted: Dec 11, 2012 12:20 PM by Associated Press
Updated: Dec 11, 2012 12:20 PM
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - Missouri Republican leaders say it would be difficult to follow Michigan's lead in passing a "right-to-work" law that prohibits union dues as a condition for employment.
On Tuesday, protesters flooded the Michigan Capitol as lawmakers met to cast final votes.
Missouri House Republican Speaker Tim Jones, of Eureka, says passing a similar law would require strong leadership from the governor and the support of the business community. Republican Senate leader Tom Dempsey, of St. Charles, says numerous senators support a right-to-work law but not enough to overcome a veto.
Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers. Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon previously has called the idea a backward step.
Jones says Missouri lawmakers still could pursue measures dealing with the prevailing wage governmental entities must pay for construction projects and paycheck deductions.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The Columbia Business Times put labor on the cover of their November issues. If you guessed that this isn't good news, you are right. Yep, Right to Work...again.
Main article:
http://columbiabusinesstimes.com/16070/2012/11/05/labor-and-politics/
Editorial:
http://columbiabusinesstimes.com/15949/2012/11/05/show-us-new-business/
Main article:
http://columbiabusinesstimes.com/16070/2012/11/05/labor-and-politics/
Editorial:
http://columbiabusinesstimes.com/15949/2012/11/05/show-us-new-business/
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