Senate Committee takes preventative action against workers losing the right to vote to unionize by secret ballot.

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3/30/2009: Radio Story - Arguments, a fire alarm, and dozens of questions sidetracked a bill Monday that would let Missourians decide whether workers can still vote by secret ballot.

2/24/2010: Radio Story - Debate on a secret-ballot resolution stalled in the Senate on Wednesday as two legislators filibustered the issue.

2/14/2011: Radio Story - House Committee has discussion on Union secret ballot votes.

Intro:	Secret ballot votes for workers to unionize get added protection from new legislation.
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Wrap:

Actuality:	CEIRPIO1.WAV
Run Time:	00:03
Description: "Right now it doesn't change anything. What this is, is preemptive."

That was the bill's sponsor Jackson County Republican Representative Mike Cierpiot.

Many came to weigh in on the issue and AFL CIO spokesman Herb Johnson was one who spoke in opposition.

Here's Republican Senator Louann Ridgeway questioning him whether he supports secret ballot votes.

Actuality:	RIDGEWA1.WAV
Run Time:	00:11
Description: RIDGEWAY: Do you support current law that you say allows for a secret ballot? JOHNSON: We comply with the National Labor Realtions Act, yes. RIDGEWAY: You comply, do you support it? JOHNSON: Support the National Labor Relations Act.

Republicans say all Americans have the right to vote by secret ballot.

Democrats and labor unions say this legislation is unnecessary.

The bill has been passed in the House and now will go to the Senate floor.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Brian Bondus.

Intro:	A Senate Committee affirmed workers right to vote by secret ballot whehter they want to join a labor union.
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Wrap: This legislation is preemptive since it isn't any different from current Misssouri law.

The bill's sponsor Jackson County Repubilcan Representative Mike Cierpiot says Congress could try to eliminate secret ballot votes and replace them with a majority card sign up.

Cierpiot says exactly what the point of his bill is.

Actuality:	CIERPIO3.WAV
Run Time:	00:09
Description: "They assure me that we would survive a National Labor Relations Board change. Now if the Federal goes into effect I think it would preempt our law."

Even though this bill does not change any current Missouri laws, labor union representatives came to oppose the bill.

The bill has passed the House and now will go to the Senate floor.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Brian Bondus.