Missouri AFL-CIO commends Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of two anti-worker bills

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_271eacc0-6faf-11e1-9128-0019bb2963f4.html

Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 4:41 pm

“We are pleased to see Governor Nixon has stepped up and vetoed these legislative attacks on workers. One would have denied those with work-related fatal diseases the right to seek compensation in civil court,” said Missouri AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Herb Johnson. “The other attacks the civil rights of Missourians and would make it easier for corporations to discriminate against workers for their age, race or gender. Governor Nixon realizes that workers deserve to have their human rights preserved on the job.”

House Bill 1219 is an unnecessary and harmful attack on the rights of working Missourians. Senate Bill 572, the vetoed Workers Compensation bill, is an unfair and irresponsible piece of legislation that would have restricted compensation for workers suffering occupational diseases to a minimal amount– just enough to cover the hospital bills and funeral. We hope this veto will force both parties back to the bargaining table to effectively reinforce workers’ compensation in a way that doesn't punish workers injured on the job.

Now more than ever, we call upon our elected officials to come together on legislation that will strengthen our economy and put Missouri back to work. We hope Governor Nixon’s veto of these two anti-worker bills will be a wake-up call for our elected officials to move past extremist attacks and focus on reasonable and progressive solutions.