Right to Work Improves Missouri Economy

From the St. louis Post-Dispatch:

Right to work will improve economic conditions for Missourians statewide

One of the first campaign promises that Gov. Eric Greitens will seek to fulfill is the passage of right-to-work legislation.

States that have passed right-to-work legislation have experienced a rapid growth in jobs and opportunities, while forced unionization states have experienced losses. Michigan and Indiana made national news when they underwent the arduous process of passing worker freedom legislation.

Since 2011, St. Louis has lost the headquarters of 26 companies for varying reasons, ranging from relocations, buyouts, bankruptcies, mergers and takeovers, with a devastating impact on population and jobs. In order to attract corporations, Missouri must improve economic conditions that employers look at when considering a corporate relocation.

A study by Stan Greer of the National Institute for Labor Relations Research finds that “living expenses for employees in non-right-to-work states are overall 4.4 percent higher than the national average. Living costs in right-to-work states are 7.1 percent more affordable than the national average.” Additionally, right to work increases real earnings. When adjusted for differences in living costs, the Bureau of National Affairs Union Membership and Earnings Data Book shows employees make more money in right-to-work states.