By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Bob Holden plans to veto a measure lawmakers sent to him Thursday. It would block unions from collecting fees from non-union state employees.
Unions usually charge the so-called service fees in other industries because non-union workers benefit from the same negotiated contract. But Republican leaders argue no one should have to give money to a union they don't want to join.
A resolution blocking the rule proposed in August cleared the GOP-controlled Senate on a 20-to-13 party-line vote Thursday; it had passed the House two weeks ago.
It's the latest development in a battle stemming from an executive order issued in 2001 by Holden, a Democrat. It granted collective bargaining rights to thousands of state employees, and included the provisions for unions to charge fees to
all employees in a bargaining unit, even if they don't join the union.
Those type of fees are common in the private sector but Republican lawmakers contend they violate a Missouri law requiring consent of state workers before fees can be deducted from their pay.
Holden spokeswoman Mary Still says the governor will veto the resolution "because he believes state workers deserve the same
rights as any other workers."