Right-to-work passes muster

Allen Andrews

For the first time in the history of the Missouri House of Representatives, a right-to-work bill is now through this chamber and on its way to the Senate.

My colleagues and I took an important and historic vote Thursday to approve the bill that would simply prohibit contracts that require a worker to join a union or pay union fees as a condition of employment.

I am not anti-union. But, I feel all Missouri workers should have the right to decide whether to join a union or pay union dues, and that’s why I supported this legislation that provides this important freedom.

During discussion on the House floor, we heard a great deal about the economic impact that becoming the nation’s 25th right-to-work state can have on Missouri. Since 2000, nearly five million Americans have moved to the 24 states that provide workers their freedom. One-quarter of these states border Missouri.

Furthermore, during the 10-year period from 2004 to 2013, right-to-work states grew jobs at an average rate of 5.3 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That’s more than twice the rate of job growth in forced-union states (2.1 percent).

And more specifically, right-to-work states grew 3.6 million jobs during that time frame, far exceeding the total of 1.5 million in states without worker freedom.

And while these are important factors to take into consideration, I think the bigger issue is the fundamental concept of preserving the liberties and individual freedoms that define our nation.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

I will keep you updated as this important piece of legislation makes its way through the legislative process.

As always, please let me know if you have questions or if I can assist you in any way.