Missouri business owners oppose changes to wage laws

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Intro:	A plan to repeal wage laws that affect Missouri's public workers is running into public opposition at the state Capitol.
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Wrap: Workers for city and county contractors would lose their guaranteed salaries if the Senate passes a plan to repeal Missouri's current prevailing wage law.

Construction union lobbyist Adam McBride testified in opposition of the bill, saying public workers deserve fair wages.

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Description: "I think that the carpenter that died on the Mississippi river bridge, building that new bridge, I think his family would tell you he's worth more than 14 dollars an hour."

Those in support of the plan say current prevailing wage laws are driving up the costs of construction projects in rural Missouri.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ellie Coatar.

Intro:	Wages for Missouri's public workers could be affected by a plan to repeal the state's prevailing wage law.
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Wrap: Business owners and union lobbyists testified during a Senate committee hearing that the current prevailing wage laws fairly compensate public workers.

Vice President of Jefferson City's Meyer Electric Company Leon Keller opposes the plan to repeal prevailing wage because it would allow companies from neighboring states to complete projects in Missouri for cheaper prices.

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Description: "Reducing construction wages on public projects opens the door for low cost out-of-state employers and workers to gain Missouri taxpayer projects."

Supporters of the bill want to repeal current prevailing wage laws because they drive up the costs of local construction projects.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ellie Coatar

Intro:	Missouri Senators say workers in the state ought to have a choice whether they are in a union or not.
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Wrap: Two Senate proposals would ban employers from making union requirements for their employees. It would be illegal for employers to force workers to join or leave a union.

Director of Missouri First Ron Calzone says this proposal will uphold whats already spelled out in state law.

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Description: "These two bills simply put into statute, codify that is, what's already in the Constitution. And I think that we have an obligation to support and defend the Missouri Constitution."

Business owners who testified against the plan say they want to protect their freedom as employers.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ellie Coatar.