By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – A Missouri legislative committee voted on Monday night to block a new rule that allows unions to deduct fees, even from non-union state employees.
The rule is part of a 2001 Executive Order from Governor Bob Holden, granting collective bargaining powers to thousands of state workers.
Unions say the fees are fair because non-union workers benefit from and work under the same contract negotiated by unions. But the Republicans who control the panel disagreed; last night's party-line vote delayed the rule from taking effect, at least temporarily.
The fees have been included in several union contracts with state agencies, but they have yet to be collected pending this state regulatory change.