Senate committee passes 'right-to-work' legislation
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Senate committee passes 'right-to-work' legislation

Date: February 15, 2011
By: Theo Keith
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
So-called 'right-to-work' legislation to prohibit forcing Missouri workers to pay union service fees took a step forward Tuesday.
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The vote in the Senate General Laws committee went along party lines -- Republicans for, Democrats against.

St. Louis Democrat Robin Wright-Jones was one of those opposed.

Actuality:  RWJONES.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "Union workers have been the backbone of this country to build it -- in the modern industrial age and they also have been the middle class. And all of that is under siege."

Wright-Jones and labor unions say the legislation would lead to lower wages for workers.

Supporters say states that have passed similar measures are more business-friendly.

They say the proposal would create jobs in Missouri.

The bill now moves to the full Senate.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
Legislation to prohibit forcing Missouri workers to pay union service fees -- what supporters call 'right to work' -- got the go-ahead from a Senate committee Tuesday.
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The vote came along party-lines in the Senate General Laws committee.

It came a week after labor unions and contractors squared off over the bill.

St. Louis County Republican Jane Cunningham says the legislation would make Missouri more attractive to businesses looking to relocate.

Actuality:  CUNNING3.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "If we have right to work, they look further, if we don't have right to work, they don't even look at us anymore. That was very deciding for me."

Cunningham says the legislation would create jobs amd improve Missouri's 9.5 percent unemployment rate.

Democrats and labor unions say it would lead to lower wages for all workers.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.