Worker-friendly Republican proposes removing support of right to work from Missouri Republican Party Platform

By SHERI GASSAWAY

Correspondent

An Arnold councilman and worker-friendly Republican recently proposed an amendment to the Missouri Republican Party Platform that would remove language supporting right to work.

Jason Fulbright made the case during the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee’s recent presidential caucus. Fulbright is an active member of the Jefferson County Labor Club and also serves as the Arnold Township Republican Central committeeman.

HALF OF REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE STANDS WITH LABOR

The amendment failed, but committee members were split down the middle on the decision with a 37-to-37 vote. Fulbright and two others – Dave Day, a political activist and host of the Super Dave Show, and Mark Paul, the Imperial Township Republican Central committeemen, – spoke in favor of the amendment.

“While I was unsuccessful in passing this amendment, I would hope that my friends in Labor, as well as everyone around the county and state, would note that half of the people who voted at the Jefferson County Caucus stand with you,” he said. “It is quite impressive when you consider the history and scope of this fight.”

RTW IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE

Fulbright said he doesn’t see right to work as Republican versus Democrat issue, especially in Jefferson County – a community that has a large concentration of union members. He noted the change in the political climate in recent years.

“Many who have identified with the Democratic party in the past are leaning toward the Republican party, and while they agree on some Republican social issues, they still support the working class,” Fulbright said.

COUNTY’S WORKING FAMILIES RECEIVE GOP SUPPORT AT STATE LEVEL

Fulbright’s view of the political climate of Jefferson County coincides with the results of the 2014 election, which was brutal to Democrats. Republicans captured six out of seven House seats and the Senate seat.

“Our Senator along with four of the six Republican state reps stood with Missouri’s working families against last year’s right-to-work legislation,” Fulbright said. “I just don’t see right to work as being a partisan issue.”

MISSOURI REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

Fulbright said he was planning on attending the Missouri Republican Convention in Branson, Mo. He said if the process allows, he’ll propose additional amendments to remove language supporting right to work from the party’s platform.

“That’s when the platform will be ratified,” he said. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make any amendments, but if the opportunity arises, I will.”

FULBRIGHT’S TAKE ON RTW

Last year’s right-to-work measure would have prohibited companies from requiring union membership or dues as conditions of employment.

In his argument against the concept, Fulbright said: “I see this as a private contract between employers and employees, and as a Republican who favors limited government, I think the State of Missouri should not attempt to interfere.”