By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Bob Holden has vetoed a bill that would block the collection of union bargaining fees from state employees who are not union members.
The Democratic governor and Republican legislative leaders have been sparring over unions' role in state government. The spat began in June of 2001 when Holden signed an executive order granting collective bargaining rights to thousands of state workers.
Earlier this month, the Legislature passed the resolution vetoed by Holden Wednesday.
It have would blocked an administrative rule setting up a procedure for deducting those dues from employee paychecks.
But Holden says some lawmakers simply object to collective bargaining by state government employees.
The Legislature could over-ride his veto by two-thirds majorities the House and Senate.