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The Missouri Senate is expecting a floor debate on right to work legislation around the March spring break for lawmakers.

Thirty-three years ago, Missouri voters rejected a ballot initiative to eliminate mandatory union membership in closed shops. Right-to-work advocates recently said it inhibited new business activity in Missouri.

"Fifty percent of manufacturers looking to locate will make their decision solely on whether there is a right-to-work state or a union state.  And they will look no further at a state that is not right-to-work,” said Senator Jane Cunnhingham, (R) Chesterfield.

Advocates on the general laws committee said the legislation targets the acquisition of New Business by sending the Right-to-Work Bill to the floor. They said there is little threat to the existing union shops.

“This isn’t about whether unions can continue to exist or have membership,” said Sen. Luann Ridgeway, (R) Smithville. “They absolutely can exist. They can have membership.”

Union leaders do not see the political will needed to make the change. They said a coalition of business lobby groups did not include right-to-work in their list of a half a dozen legislative priorities. They targeted workers compensation, unemployment benefits and the minimum wage.

"While we have some differences about how they would go about those alterations, I agree that those issues do need attention,” said Herb Johnson, of Missouri AFL-CIO. “This was not one of those. And I think that says something right there.”

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