Unions file lawsuit challenging overhaul of state's merit system

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A coalition of labor unions representing state workers is seeking to have a court block a new state law that made significant changes to Missouri’s Merit System for state employees.

The three unions filed the lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court on Wednesday alleging that the new law violates provisions of the Missouri Constitution. The case has been assigned to Judge Jon Beetem.

Senate Bill 1007, sponsored by then-Sen. Mike Kehoe, was given approval by the General Assembly during the 2018 regular session and signed into law by then-Gov. Eric Greitens on June 1, 2018 — the same day he resigned his position.

“Former Governor Greitens may have thought he could throw away the hard-won rights of dedicated public service workers on his way out the door,” said AFSCME Council 61 President Danny Homan. “But the Missouri constitution says otherwise. We are fighting this unjust and illegal attack on the rights of our members every step of the way, and we are confident that justice will prevail.”

Read more: https://themissouritimes.com/54443/unions-file-lawsuit-challenging-overhaul-of-states-merit-system/