Union Laborers Protest Outside the Missouri Capitol

See Related Stories

1/17/2012: Radio Story - Senate Committee hears public testimony on plans to bar employers from requiring union membership.

3/27/2012: Newspaper Story - Hundreds of people representing labor unions and religious groups came to the Capitol to protest.

Intro:	About one thousand union laborers protested what they call anti-worker legislation coming out of Missouri's statehouse.
RunTime:	0:47
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap:

Actuality:	TAYLOR1.WAV
Run Time:	00:14
Description: "Now I want you to help me send a loud message inside the capitol. Are you ready to repeat after me? All hands on deck! All hands on deck! All hands on deck!

That was Democratic Representative Sylvestor Taylor addressing the crowd.

Democrats at the rally called this session's Republican-backed legislation affecting workers an attack on the middle class.

This includes legislation to make Missouri a Right-to-Work state, a measure which would prohibit making union membership a condition for employment.

Only a few Republican lawmakers were present at the rally.

Governor Jay Nixon left surrounded by a security staff and refused to talk to the media.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	A pro-union rally drew thousands to Missouri's capitol on Tuesday.
RunTime:	0:43
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap:

Actuality:	HUMMEL3.WAV
Run Time:	00:14
Description: We are sick of this attack on our laws that protect working families in this state and we're not going to take it anymore. And we're not going to sit down and listen to this day in and day out.

That was St. Louis Representative Jacob Hummel who was one of several Democrats, including Governor Jay Nixon, who spoke out against this session's Republican-backed business bills.

...bills to limit or repeal prevailing wage laws and make Missouri a Right to Work state.

St. Louis Senator Jim Lembke was one of the few Republicans lawmakers present and said he was there because his constituents include many union workers.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	A pro-union rally drew about a thousand workers to the capitol Tuesday in protest of Republican-backed business bills.
RunTime:	0:45
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Protesters said Republican lawmakers have been representing the interests of Wall Street not Main Street.

Some called efforts to repeal prevailing wage laws an attack on the middle class.

Prevailing wage laws concern wage rates for workers on public works projects.

Local Union 42 member and protester Nicholas O'Connell called on the lawmakers to pay attention to the middle-class.

Actuality:	NOCONNEL.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: Legislation doesn't know that we're out here every day working real hard. We have to really show our face around here at the Capitol and really move progress for you, know the middle class especially.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon addressed the crowd at the rally, but refused to talk with the media after the event.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.