ALEC Right to Work (for Less) Battle in Missouri Heats Up

First of all – let’s start with a recap of information from a report that was issued a few months ago – about the effect of implementing ALEC policies in your state. (my emphasis)

ALEC-Laffer claim that wage suppression policies (anti-union “right-to- work” laws and the lack of a state minimum wage law) lead to greater job creation and prosperity; in actuality, such laws reduce wages and benefits but have little to no effect on job growth (see Chapter 6).

These policies entail cutting or eliminating progressive taxes, suppressing wages, and cutting public services. The evidence and arguments cited to support the beneficial effects of these policies range from deeply flawed to nonexistent. In actuality, the book provides a recipe for economic inequality and declining incomes for most citizens and for depriving state and local governments of the revenue needed to maintain public infrastructure and education systems that are the underpinnings of long-term economic growth. ALEC’s policy prescriptions don’t work.

Missouri – the Show Me State

And now the latest on the problems being promulgated by ALEC in the great State of Missouri.

Right to Work gaining momentum in legislature

However, every state bordering Missouri that has a Right to Work law has a lower annual mean wage than Missouri.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Missouri workers have a mean annual wage of $40,500. Workers in Kansas, where there is a Right to Work law, have an annual mean wage of $40,030. Iowa, which also has Right to Work, has a mean of $38,820. Arkansas, with Right to Work, has a mean of $36,340. Nebraska, a Right to Work state, has a mean of $39,140. Oklahoma, also Right to Work, has a mean of $38,190.

Oh my --------

This is what ALEC wants to bring to Missouri.

Lower Wages – because ALEC legislators want to get a corporate funded free trip to the next ALEC meeting.

Jones said he supported it but was unsure if Right to Work could pass through the General Assembly.

Jones’ remarks came on the same day, Dec. 11, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, signed Right to Work legislation into law in that state.

“(Michigan) Speaker (Jase) Bolger has something I do not have on that issue. He has a governor that has been willing to lead, very sternly, very strongly, very aggressively, very boldly. I don't believe myself or Senator (Tom) Dempsey (Senate Pro Tem) have a partner on that issue," Jones said, referring to Missouri's Democratic governor, Jay Nixon.

Timothy Jones – ALEC State Chair 2011

Tom Dempsey – ALEC member

I’m not even going to go into the dictatorship affecting Michigan.

Burlison also defended ALEC. He questioned why it would be unacceptable for legislators to gather to trade ideas, when other professions have associations where it happens all the time.

“It’s just kind of insulting that legislators can’t do that,” Burlison said.

Burlison – ALEC MEMBER

Though Speaker Jones has said he plans to encourage a debate in the House, the fate of Right to Work in Missouri this year does not rest on Burlison’s bill alone.

Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, R-Jackson, filed a Right to Work bill similar to Burlison’s. The catch is that her bill requires voter approval. Jones is also co-sponsoring the bill.

Lichtenegger – ALEC Member

INTRODUCED BY ALEC REPRESENTATIVES BURLISON (Sponsor),

Co-sponsor  ALEC JONES (110),

(Co-sponsors).

ANDERSON

BAHR,

ALEC  BRATTIN,

COOKSON,

ALEC DIEHL,

ALEC DUGGER,

ELMER,

ALEC FREDERICK,

ALEC JONES (110),

ALEC KELLEY).

ALEC LANT,

ALEC LICHTENEGGER,

MORRIS,

ALEC REIBOLDT,

ALEC ROSS,

SCHATZ,

ALEC WHITE,

And I have to come back to this quote:

Burlison also defended ALEC. He questioned why it would be unacceptable for legislators to gather to trade ideas, when other professions have associations where it happens all the time.

“It’s just kind of insulting that legislators can’t do that,” Burlison said.

Here we have premeditated, scripted deception perpetuated by members of the American Legislative Exchange Council – intentional misleading statements to be given to the press.

 

If you go to the documents found on the Common Cause website you will find that 80 – 90% of all legislation that is introduced at ALEC meetings is written and introduced by corporations and right-wing think tanks.  Legislators only write about 10% of the legislation that is coming out of ALEC.

Second thing – if you review the documents found on the Common Cause website you will find that on many of the task forces the number of corporate and right-wing think tank members outnumber state legislators.

Burlison:

      " why it would be unacceptable for legislators to gather to trade ideas,"

CAUSE YOU ARE NOT!

gather trade ideas?

     - yeh, how to trade away Americans rights so that corporations can make more money.

 For legislators to gather?

     Be honest - you are meeting with corporate lobbyists.

          In private, behind close doors – without public scrutiny.

     Attending corporate sponsored parties

          In private, behind close doors – without public scrutiny.

     Discussing legislation written by corporations

          In private, behind close doors – without public scrutiny. 

     FOR FREE - all paid for by corporations 

         - including the legislators travel and hotel and parking.

The bill contains a referendum clause and will be submitted to qualified voters in November 2013.

HB 77 -- Labor Organizations Sponsor: Burlison Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:             Section A. Chapter 290, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 290.589, to read as follows:             290.589. 1. As used in this section, the term "labor organization" means any organization of any kind or agency or employee representation committee or union which exists for the purpose in whole or in part of dealing with employers concerning wages, rates of pay, hours of work, other conditions of employment, or other forms of compensation.             2. No person shall be required as a condition or continuation of employment to:             (1) Become or refrain from becoming a member of a labor organization;             (2) Pay any dues, fees, assessments, or other similar charges however denominated of any kind or amount to a labor organization; or               (3) In lieu of the payments listed under subdivision (2) of this subsection, pay to any charity or other third party any amount equivalent to, or on a pro rata basis, any dues, fees, assessments, or other charges required of members of a labor organization.             3. Any agreement, understanding, or practice, written or oral, implied or expressed, between any labor organization and employer that violates the rights of employees as guaranteed under this section is declared to be unlawful, null and void, and of no legal effect.             4. Any person who directly or indirectly violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.             5. (1) Any person injured as a result of any violation or threatened violation of this section shall be entitled to injunctive relief against any and all violators or persons threatening violations.             (2) Any person injured as a result of any violation or threatened violation of this section may recover any and all damages of any character resulting from such violation or threatened violation including costs and reasonable attorney fees. Such remedies shall be independent of and in addition to the other penalties and remedies proscribed under this section.             6. It shall be the duty of the prosecuting attorney of each county and of the attorney general of this state to investigate complaints of violation or threatened violation of this section and to prosecute any person violating this section and to use all means at their command to ensure the effective enforcement of this section.            7. This section shall not apply:             (1) To employers and employees covered by the federal Railway Labor Act;             (2) To federal employers and employees;             (3) To employers and employees on exclusive federal enclaves;             (4) Where this section conflicts with or is preempted by federal law; or             (5) To any collective bargaining agreement or any other type of agreement between an employer and a labor organization entered into before the effective date of this section but shall apply to any new agreement or renewal or extension of any existing collective bargaining agreement.             Section B. This act is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state for approval or rejection at an election which is hereby ordered and which shall be held and conducted on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2013, pursuant to the laws and constitutional provisions of this state for the submission of referendum measures by the general assembly, and this act shall become effective when approved by a majority of the votes cast thereon at such election and not otherwise.

Right to Work Act Summary ALEC's model Right to Work Act provides that no employee need join or pay dues to a union, or refrain from joining a union, as a condition of employment. The Act establishes penalties and remedies for violations of the Act's provisions. Model Legislation {Title, enacting clause, etc.} Section 1. { Title.} This Act may be cited as the Right to Work Act. Section 3. {Labor organization.} The term "labor organization" means any organization of any kind, or agency or employee representation committee or union, that exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with employers concerning wages, rates of pay, hours of work, other conditions of employment, or other forms of compensation. Section 4. {Freedom of choice guaranteed, discrimination prohibited.} No person shall be required, as a condition of employment or continuation of employment: (A) to resign or refrain from voluntary membership in, voluntary affiliation with, or voluntary financial support of a labor organization; (B) to become or remain a member of a labor organization; (C) to pay any dues, fees, assessments, or other charges of any kind or amount to a labor organization; (D) to pay to any charity or other third party, in lieu of such payments, any amount equivalent to or a pro-rata portion of dues, fees, assessments, or other charges regularly required of members of a labor organization; or (E) to be recommended, approved, referred, or cleared by or through a labor organization. Section 6. {Agreements in violation, and actions to induce such agreements, declared illegal.} Any agreement, understanding, or practice, written or oral, implied or expressed, between any labor organization and employer that violates the rights of employees as guaranteed by provisions of this chapter is hereby declared to be unlawful, null and void, and of no legal effect. Section 9. {Civil remedies.} Any employee harmed as a result of any violation or threatened violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be entitled to injunctive relief against any and all violators or persons threatening violations and may in addition thereto recover any and all damages, including costs and reasonable attorney fees, of any character resulting from such violation or threatened violation. Such remedies shall be independent of and in addition to the penalties and remedies prescribed in other provisions of this chapter. Section 10. {Duty to investigate.} It shall be the duty of the prosecuting attorneys of each county (or the attorney general of this state) to investigate complaints of violation or threatened violations of this chapter and to prosecute all persons violating any of its provisions, and to take all means at their command to ensure its effective enforcement.