MISSOURI VOTERS TO VOTE ON RIGHT TO WORK IN AUGUST PRIMARIES
Will RIGHT TO WORK prove to be right for Missouri? On August 7, Missouri voters will decide if the state’s private sector unions can mandate workers to join or pay dues to a union as a condition of employment. A YES vote on Proposition A will support allowing employees to elect out of paying union dues; a NO vote will continue the practice requiring employees to join a union as assigned by the collective bargaining agreement. Should Prop. A pass, it would extend the recent SCOTUS Janus decision further in the state, applying right to work to private sector unions as well as the public sector. The official ballot language is listed below:
Official Ballot Title
Proposition A
[Proposed by Referendum Petition]
Official Ballot Title:
Do the people of the state of Missouri want to adopt Senate Bill 19 (“Right-to-Work”) as passed by the general assembly in 2017, which prohibits as a condition of employment the forced membership in a labor organization (union) or forced payments of dues in full or pro-rata (fair-share); make any activity which violates employees’ rights illegal and ineffective; allow legal remedies for anyone injured as a result of another person violating or threatening to violate employees’ rights; and which shall not apply to union agreements entered into before the effective date of Senate Bill 19?
State and local government entities expect no costs or savings.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will adopt Senate Bill 19 (“right-to-work”), passed by the general assembly in 2017. If adopted, Senate Bill 19 will amend Missouri law to prohibit, as a condition of employment, forced membership in a labor organization (union) or forced payments of dues or fees, in full or pro-rata (“fair-share”), to a union. Senate Bill 19 will also make any activity which violates employees’ rights provided by the bill illegal and ineffective and allow legal remedies for anyone injured as a result of another person violating or threatening to violate those employees’ rights. Senate Bill 19 will not apply to union agreements entered into before the effective date of Senate Bill 19, unless those agreements are amended or renewed after the effective date of Senate Bill 19.
A “no” vote will reject Senate Bill 19 (“right-to-work”) and will result in Senate Bill 19 not becoming Missouri law.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.