A victory in Missouri

Missouri is a state that hasn't yet become part of the Republicans' "solid South." McCain won the state in 2008, but by less than 4,000 votes. The state has become more Republican since, with the GOP now dominating the state legislature. But this report from Mike Hall suggests that some of these Republicans are not as thoroughly anti-labor as their fellow GOP legislators in Wisconsin:

With some 500 workers in the Missouri state Senate gallery last night, backers of a so-called right to work bill, were unable to muster enough support to bring the legislation to a vote.

Senate Minority Leader Victor Callahan (D) said supporters of “right to work” for less legislation who claim it will attract more businesses to the state might as well be arguing “let us race to become more competitive by emulating the Third World…

through unions and good jobs we created a middle class. The middle class didn’t cause recession, Big Banks did.

Tweeting from last night’s session, Cathy Sherwin, the Missouri AFL-CIO communications director, noted that opposition to the bill crossed party lines, including Sen. Kevin Engler (R) who said his parents’ union membership benefited both the family and the state.

Because my parents had good union benefits, my parents are going into a nursing home with NO state benefits needed at no cost to state.

Senate leaders said they would not bring the bill back up this week and it was uncertain if it would be on the agenda after the legislature’s spring break next week.

Last week, more than 5,000 workers rallied in St. Louis against the bill.

I think the awareness of hundreds of thousands in the streets, may be helping to clarify the thinking of some Republicans not completely shut off from reality. Even less massive demonstrations may have the desired effect of bringing politicians to their senses, so that they pull back from the most extreme anti-worker actions. This is why I urge everyone to keep turning out for rallies in your area. They don't have to be huge to send a big message.