Missouri Attack on Bargaining Rights is Rejected

In a big victory for bargaining rights, union activists and allies in the Missouri legislature refused to override Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of "right to work" legislation. The Republican-controlled state House overwhelmingly rejected the override attempt by a 96-63 vote this week.

CWA members have been a big part of this fight for months, rallying at the State Capitol and pushing back against this attack on workers' bargaining rights.

Tim Mehringer, a member of Local 6300, had his letter to the editor published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He wrote, "As a member of the Marine Corps who served in Iraq, I am grateful to everyone who has said 'thank you for your service' to me. When I returned home to Missouri, all I wanted was a job where I could work hard, support my family, and be a member of my community. Sadly, my fellow vets and I returned home only to find the Missouri Legislature pushing "right to work" legislation. "Right to work" is wrong: it's an attack on the values we fought to defend and on the future we are fighting to build.

CWAers in Missouri have been rallying for bargaining rights and against wealthy out-of-state donors like the Koch brothers who wanted to push through "right to work" (for less) legislation. At center is CWA D6 Vice President Claude Cummings, with Attorney General Chris Koster, Democratic candidate for Governor.