Tagged: Right To Work

Legislation that would eliminate the prevailing wage requirement in Missouri was heard Tuesday by a State Senate committee.

The state calculates various wages that are to be paid in each county and in St. Louis for construction trades on building projects.  The sponsor, State Senator Dan Brown (R, Rolla), says eliminating prevailing wage requirements would give smaller businesses outside of St. Louis and Kansas City a fair shot at landing construction contracts.

This year’s Missouri legislative session is well underway.

Among the topics up for consideration in Jefferson City are right-to-work legislation and voter-ID requirements.

Host Don Marsh talked with St. Louis Public Radio statehouse reporter Marshall Griffin about those topics and others.

Supporters and opponents of legislation that would make Missouri a right-to-work state crowded into a hearing room today at the State Capitol.

House Bill 77 would forbid workers from being forced to join unions or pay union dues as a condition of employment.  Greg Hoberock, national chair of Associated Builders and Contractors, testified in favor of the measure.

“I think you need a balance," Hoberock said.  "I don’t think this bill excludes union membership -- I think it give the employee(s) the right to make their own choice to further (their) income and to have a job and to do what they want to do.”

Four years ago, Missouri Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon was elected by 19 points: a landslide. But this time around, it may not be so easy for him. Some polls show St. Louis businessman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence within striking distance of the Governor. The race has been personal at times, but it’s primarily been about one overarching issue: jobs.

Dave Spence owns a couple of plastics businesses. One of those businesses is Alpha Packaging.