Arnold takes stand against RTW

By SHERI GASSAWAY

Correspondent

Arnold – City officials in this southern suburb of St. Louis are sending a strong message to Missouri lawmakers: Right-to-work is wrong for Missouri.

To underscore its position, the Arnold City Council unanimously approved a resolution opposing policies that harm Missouri’s working families and middle class, including this year’s right-to-work (RTW)/Freedom to Work/Workplace Freedom legislation.

Councilmembers Phil Amato and Jason Fulbright sponsored the resolution.

In addition to making their stance known to legislators, they also are hoping the resolution will motivate and encourage other cities to join in the fight to save the middle class.

“We oppose these so called right to work laws because they interfere with the success of the labor-management partnership and the middle class as a whole,” Amato said. “We’re calling on the Missouri General Assembly to instead focus on creating jobs and improving the state’s economy.”

RTW NOT FOR WORKING FAMILIES

Rep. Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart) has been fighting the Republican extremists’ RTW efforts in Jefferson City throughout this year’s tumultuous session and thanked the council for its action.

“The last few months have been tough, and it gets a little hard keeping your dukes up,” Roorda said. “But it’s rejuvenating to see the council do this, and it will help me while we’re in session the next two weeks.”

Bart Velasco, president of the Jefferson County Labor Club, also applauded the council’s effort.

“These policies are not something for working families in this state,” Velasco said.

Arnold is the largest city in Jefferson County, which is the fifth largest county in Missouri.

LATEST TO JOIN THE FIGHT

Arnold is the latest city to join the fight against RTW in Missouri.

Major municipalities across the region are sending a clear message to the Missouri legislature that they strongly believe right-to-work/Freedom to Work/Workplace Freedom bills are wrong for Missouri.

St. Louis County, the City of St. Louis, City of O’Fallon and City of St. Peters have also passed resolutions against this relentless attack on Missouri’s working families.