Unsafe labor laws in Mo.

Last week, just before going on vacation, extremists in the Missouri Legislature voted to make life tougher for the people working every day. Instead of creating jobs, politicians in Jefferson City, Mo., voted to take away rights and cut the paychecks of teachers, nurses, corrections officers, construction workers and other hardworking Missourians.

Paycheck deception and attacks on prevailing wage standards, along with so-called "right to work," are part of an organized national plan to eliminate the voice of middle class workers. It is shameful that instead of supporting good jobs here, extremist politicians in Missouri chose to side with CEOs and out-of-state special interests to hurt the working families home in their districts.

Paycheck deception and anti-prevailing wage bills were passed in the House with bipartisan opposition. Working people are continuing to contact their senators to stop these unfair, unsafe and unnecessary laws here in Missouri.

All over Missouri, working people are voicing their frustration with politicians who do nothing to create jobs, strengthen our economy or improve our schools. Working people who sent thousands of letters, emails and phone calls about critical issues were ignored by extremists who chose to side with CEOs, multinational corporations and special interest groups, instead of their constituents.

The middle class is struggling, too many people are falling behind and extremists in the state Legislature are taking us backward by joining forces with multinational corporations that ship jobs overseas and offshore their profits to avoid paying taxes.

MARK BAKER, president, Southeast Missouri Central Labor Council, Jackson