The 30th: Love For Labor Friendly Dixon?

Rep. Bob Dixon, a candidate for the 30th Senate District seat in 2010, was the only Republican official to attend Springfield's Labor Day parade and rally.

But Jim Kabell, the business manager for the Teamsters Local 245 union, cautioned that local labor is not necessarily endorsing Dixon in his state Senate bid.

"We've not made any endorsement," said Kabell in an interview. "Dixon has not been a solid labor vote, but there are things he has done."

"When people saw him there, they asked me, 'What are you going to do with him?' And I said, I'm going to introduce him, like we did the other state representatives. This was an ideal opportunity for others to twist his arm," Kabell explained.

VIDEO of Dixon's appearance posted on YouTube shows Kabell crediting Dixon for appearing before a group that usually supports Democrats. "But we need friends on both sides of the aisle folks," Kabell added.

"We need somebody in the Republican Party that will represent working men and women just as we need them in the Democratic Party," Kabell said.

Dixon was clear about why he was there -- to win their votes for his Senate bid.

"I stand before you as the grandson of Democrats and the son of a union member," Dixon said in a brief statement where he promised to campaign for economic opportunity, stronger schools and safe neighborhoods.

Kabell was vague when describing what Dixon has done for labor causes.

"He's kept some things locked up so it doesn't do us harm. He's blocked some things from hitting the floor, made sure some things don't get out of committee," Kabell explained.

When asked for specifics on what Dixon blocked, Kabell declined to say. "I don't want to do him harm, get him in trouble with some of his friends," Kabell added.

Kabell made clear that respect and having a relationship with Dixon does not qualify as an endorsement.

Springfield school board member Michael Hoeman first told The Notebook he was considering a bid for the District #30 Senate seat as a Democrat back in June. Kabell said he's only had a brief conversation with Hoeman that did not include "much substance."

Kabell doesn't know the chances of Dixon winning labor's blessing. They're likely slim.

The fact that Dixon is actively courting labor should be a warning to Greene County Democrats.

And the fact that Dixon is quietly maneuvering policy for labor might catch the antenna of some Republicans.

MORE VIDEO: AFP & SEIU Debate Healthcare

Americans for Prosperity's Carl Bearden says that there's no way to go back and get rid of Medicare, but said expanding government health care further is a mistake that should be avoided.

"Had we had the luxury of going back in a time machine and never having done Medicare the way it was done, I think that would've been a better way to go about it," he said, referring to private insurance. "We're not going back, but that doesn't repeat the mistake going forward."

*WATCH FULL CLIP ABOVE*

Bets that a government plan would put most private insurance out of business within 7 to 12 years.

Adds: "On a public plan, you're not going to have a lot of choices."

SEIU: CARNAHAN DOESN'T HAVE TO HAVE POSITION

SEIU's Clark Brown said a public option is a must in order to insure the more than 40 million without coverage.

Brown also said he doesn't think Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Robin Carnahan needs to put out a clear position on the healthcare debate.

"I don't know that clearly I believe she has to take a formal position . . ."

*WATCH FULL GIVE & TAKE ABOVE*

The Healthcare Debate: In Their Own Words

LISTEN to my Q & A on the healthcare debate with the SEIU's Clark Brown and Americans for Prosperity's Carl Bearden.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE
Dueling demonstrators faced-off over healthcare in Springfield Thursday night, just days before Senator Claire McCaskill's highly-anticipated town hall meeting.

More than a hundred people showed up at Fassnight Park to voice opposition to any type of government healthcare plan -- as well as send a message to the Democratic Senator.

"Educate, communicate, activate," instructed former Republican lawmaker and Americans for Prosperity leader Carl Bearden to a crowd of about 130.

Bearden read off phone numbers to McCaskill's offices around the state and the crowd began dialing to send a clear message.

"Hands off my healthcare!," they shouted repeatedly, at times jamming McCaskill's phone lines.

ALSO: What questions do you have on healthcare for either side -- supporters or opponents of the Democratic plan in Congress. Leave them in the comment section or e-mail your thoughts to me at dcatanese@ky3.com

SOS: Group Pushes Amendment to Keep Secret Ballot

A statewide group is pushing to amend Missouri's Constitution to require secret ballots for union elections.

It's in response to pending federal legislation that would make it easier for workers to organize.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

At issue: Impact of the Employee Free Choice Act

"Ten union organizers show up at your 10 employee's house all in one night. It they can get five of them to sign a card, by the time you come to work the next day, you are a unionized company," said Save Our Secret Ballot's Tim Mooney. "This is bad stuff. It ought to be awfully scary to you. You pass this in a dozen states, with the kind of numbers we have in our poll, and it will kill this idea."

"Shame on them for choosing this way to tip the scales. That is an absolutely offensive, brazen, cynical tactic," said Missouri Save Our Secret Ballot Chair John Loudon.

So far the group has said its raised $100,000 and landed 40,000 signatures for the ballot initiative that would force unions to hold secret ballot elections.

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Clark Brown, the SEIU legislative liaison in Missouri:

"I can very confidently say that workers are intimidated," Brown said about how companies delay and stall union elections under the current system. "The act we're looking at is wanting to put that choice in hands of the workers, whether they have a private election."

Said he's sure EFCA would grow unions in Springfield But notes . . . "The Employee Free Choice Act does still entitle secret ballot elections, but it makes it the choice of the workers."

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ALSO: The Missouri Chamber of Commerce held a separate meeting on a similar topic with GOP strategist Karl Rove. Ky3 requested an interview with Chamber president Dan Mehan or Rove, but did not receive a call back. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who was billed as the headliner for the SOS event, instead cancelled to attend the Missouri Chamber event with Rove. That event was not open to press.

When I asked Loudon why the Mo. Chamber president Mehan would schedule a similar event on the same day, he replied, "You'll have to ask him."

"The Missouri Chamber of Commerce has opposed civil rights, the 40 hour work week, the 8 hour work day, OSHA safety regulations and the 2006 increase to the minimum wage. And now they're bringing in George W. Bush's old friend Karl Rove to raise money to fight against the Employee Free Choice Act," said Brad Stokes, president of the Springfield Labor Council.

Secret Ballot or Card Check?

Proponents of the "Save Our Secret Ballot" initiative are holding a meeting Springfield Chamber of Commerce at 4:30 p.m today.

They are organizing a ballot initiative to try to blunt the impact of the Employee Free Choice Act if it's passed by Congress.

Former State Sen. John Loudon is expected to lead the discussion; Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder was slated to attend, but canceled to participate in a similar rival forum with Karl Rove and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

Associated Industries of Missouri is sponsoring the SOS forum.

The legislation would eliminate employer-mandated secret ballot elections, and make organizing a union easier. Opponents say elimination of the secret ballot would foster harassment and intimidation in the workplace and that owners would lose control of their businesses.

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Asked why the AIM and Chamber are such fierce rivals, one knowledgeable contact replied: "Same reason you hate KOLR 10 and KSPR."

More on KY3 News @ 10

Kinder, Rove Compete For Card Check Audience

ROVE EVENT DESIGNED TO PRESSURE MCCASKILL

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder and political strategist Karl Rove are holding separate meetings within hours of each other in Springfield Wednesday on the ramifications of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Kinder's meeting is part of a statewide tour to promote a ballot initiative designed to protect Missouri from passage of the legislation. The meeting is sponsored by Associated Industries of Missouri and the Southwest Area Manufacturers Association, and is slated for 4:30 p.m. at the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. There is no charge for the event, but pre-registration is required.

Karl Rove is speaking to an invitation only crowd at the Loren Cook Company at 2:30. That meeting is sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. "We will be using a number of methods to get the attention of members of Congress who are important swing votes on this matter -- and making our opinions ring as clear as a bell," wrote state Chamber president Dan Mehan. In a letter to invites, Mehan said a group of business organizations in the Midwest will be using a 527 to communicate their message through TV, radio and newspaper ads. "It is our intention to become the 'point of the spear' in the American business community's efforts to defeat these onerous new labor laws," Mehan wrote.

Former State Sen. John Loudon, who serves as chair of the "Save Our Secret Ballot" tour, said the two events are unrelated. Loudon told The Notebook that Kinder's event "is a Missouri ballot issue, theirs is designed to lobby (Sen. Claire) McCaskill to change her vote."

Loudon said that Rove's event was scheduled after the ballot initiative tour, and that "a lot of people are confused."

Karl Rove in Springfield Wednesday

Former presidential aide and Republican strategist Karl Rove will be in Springfield Wednesday to speak to conservative business leaders about the Employee Free Choice Act.

According to an invitation obtained by The Notebook, Rove will speak at 2:30 p.m. at the Loren Cook Company at the invite of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

The gathering is invitation only, but no contribution is required.

Missouri Chamber President Dan Mehan writes: "As you know, our Congress is now debating legislation that calls for the most egregious changes in labor laws proposed in more than a half-century. Cynically named the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), it is often referred to as 'Card Check.' No matter what name it goes by, this effort by union bosses is nothing more than a blatant attempt to reverse a declining union membership through draconian measures that threaten the very underpinnings of American freedom, by:

• Requiring binding arbitration on a first contract between the union and employer;
• Increasing penalties on employers;
•Eliminating parameters regarding the size or scope of employers who may be the subject of unionization; and
• Eliminating the right of employees to make a decision on unionization in a private ballot election."

Prop B Would Aid Independent Living, Unions

Proposition B would create an 11-member board that would recruit more workers to serve as in-home assistants for people with disabilities. But it also would make it easier for those workers to form unions, something that opponents say is bad for business.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

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"I see a potential increased costs that maybe not the best for healthcare in Missouri, increased costs for those providers," says Trey Davis of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, which opposes the initiative.
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"If attendants choose to unionize, it would allow them to do that," counters Stephanie Goodwin of Missourians for Quality Homecare. "I think they should have the choice to be able to unionize."
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The initiative would cost approximately $500,000 annually to be taken out of general revenue. Goodwin says about 11 other states have a similar homecare board.

3 Percent . . . Will Have To Pay The Rent

Missouri state workers will get a 3 percent pay raise next year -- not the flat raise passed by the House and supported by union workers.

House and Senate budget negotiators agreed on the 3% pay hike Tuesday, to begin with the new state budget July 1.

The House had supported a flat $1,056 pay raise for all employees. That would have given lower-income workers more money than the 3 percent increase backed by the Senate and Gov. Matt Blunt. Watch what some workers think of the 3 percent plan HERE.

"3 Percent . . . Won't Pay The Rent"

STATE WORKERS PROTEST 3% PAY HIKE

FAVOR FLAT-RATE PLAN, PASSED BY HOUSE

"Listen Blunt . . . Do You Hear?"

GOVERNOR, SENATE BACK 3% PLAN

Union Worker: "If you make $100,000, you get a $3,000 raise. If you make $30,000 or less, like all of us, you get about $800."

Sen. Purgason: "The problem with the flat rate is that it persuades people not to move into management."

Blunt spokesperson: "The state becomes less competitive in the labor market because of smaller increases in the positions difficult to fill."

WATCH MY KY3 NEWS @ 6 REPORT HERE

State Workers Plan Monday Rally Over Pay

A group of state workers is expected to hold a rally in West Plains Monday to protest a pay raise package moving through the statehouse.

The communication workers of Local 6355 contend that a pay raise package amended by the state Senate will mostly benefit "insider Jefferson City bureaucrats," and not state workers "on the frontlines."

Organizer Zena Burns said the union workers are planning to rally outside the Department of Social Services office in West Plains between 11 a.m. and noon Monday to show their opposition to the plan.

Governor Matt Blunt has proposed a 3 percent raise for all state workers in his budget request. The Missouri State Workers Union opposes this plan because they claim it "puts more money in the pockets of people at the highest end of the pay scale, leaving little for the front-line workers."

"With many frontline state workers earning poverty level wages already, the smaller raise offered by the Governor would be quickly swallowed up in rising gas prices," said Richard von Glahn of Local 6355 in a press release. "State workers support the bi-partisan House pay raise that evenly distributes the money and gives frontline staff a significant enough increase to help make ends meet," von Glahn added.

The House bill passed in March, but the Senate amended that version.

Burns tells the KY3 Political Notebook that at least a dozen workers in West Plains are planning to use their lunch break to attend the protest. Other similar rallies are planned in different areas in the state, Burns said.