By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – After the Governor's State of the State speech Wednesday, the Missouri House passed a resolution to prevent the state from collecting union fees from workers who choose not to join a union.
Gov. Bob Holden signed an executive order in 2001 granting collective bargaining rights to thousands of state employees. He also allowed unions to charge all employees so-called "fair share" fees. Those fees are collected in other industries and help cover the cost of negotiating contracts that all workers would be under, regardless of whether they're in a union.
The House voted 85-67 to send a resolution to the Senate that prevents those fees from being collected. The measure goes to the Senate.
The legislation's sponsor, Richard Byrd, says the measure is not anti-union.