Crowell proposes statewide vote on 'right-to-work'

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri senator is proposing a statewide vote in August 2012 on whether to make Missouri a "right-to-work" state.

Under current Missouri law, employees at some companies have to pay union membership to work at those companies under employer-union contracts. A "right-to-work" law would eliminate that situation.

Some Republican senators want to prohibit union-only work places, which they contend could deter some businesses from locating in Missouri.

Legislation filed Thursday by Republican Sen. Jason Crowell, of Cape Girardeau, would refer the union issue to voters next year. That means it would bypass Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

Earlier this session, Sen. Luann Ridgeway, of Smithville, filed a right-to-work proposal that would require the governor's signature to become law. It would not go on the ballot.

The right-to-work issue last went before Missouri voters in 1978. It was overwhelmingly defeated.