FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Contact: Hannah Edwards
Jefferson City – Today, Missouri Jobs with Justice joined workers and community allies across the state representing labor, faith, civil rights, and reproductive justice at the Missouri Capitol to demand that state elected officials respect the will of the people in the final days of the legislative session. The Missouri Legislature’s decision to overturn Proposition A to raise the minimum wage and guarantee paid sick leave has left constituents across the state overwhelmed and furious. Proposition A won in November with nearly 58% of the vote, and workers are already experiencing its benefits. With the new paid sick leave law now in effect and workers accruing paid sick time, taking away this earned benefit disparages workers and democratic processes.
Photos of the rally are available for download HERE.
“As an essential worker, it typically does not matter if I am sick or not, even being a union member. The new paid sick leave law would have changed this reality for many workers across the state. Now, workers will not see the basic benefit of the earned paid sick time that they voted for. Workers will not have the relief of knowing that being sick or needing an operation is something they can plan for instead of worry about.” said Ray Thomas, Missouri Jobs with Justice Leader and union member, master electrician in Kansas City.
“When my younger kids get sick and I have to skip a shift, I find myself playing a complicated math game just to get by,” said Andi Phillips, a server in Springfield. “Proposition A is so important for me because I am someone who lives paycheck to paycheck even though I work extremely hard. I find it insulting that we worked so hard and took our time away from our families to pass Proposition A, and the Missouri state legislature overturned what we as Missourians passed. This is a policy that workers deserve.”
“I turned on the news last night to see ‘Missouri lawmakers repeal Proposition A’. In that moment, my heart dropped. I thought not only about the days I went to work sick but days I had to take my children to work with me with a 100 degree fever […] Make no doubt the decision made yesterday was a fatal decision. It will cost lives and harm communities. Imagine having the audacity to take away paid sick days when you have the ability as a lawmaker on our taxpayer dollars to take days off,” said Terrence Wise, a longtime leader in Stand up KC, the Fight for $15 and current leader with the Missouri Workers Center.
Missouri Jobs with Justice and Missouri Workers Center have set up a website, www.moworkersrights.org where workers and business owners can ask questions about compliance with the law.
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More About Missouri Jobs with Justice:
Missouri Jobs with Justice is a coalition of community, labor, faith-based, and student groups and individuals working to build power through direct action and strong relationships rooted in justice, equity, and solidarity. An organization of, by and for working people, we hope to build a Missouri where all people can lead safe and healthy lives. In addition to our local and state partners, we are proud to be affiliated with national Jobs with Justice as well as People’s Action. Companion 501(c)(4) organization Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action builds Missouri’s worker justice movement through workplace campaigns, ballot initiatives, and other community fights.