Protecting Workers

"I will ensure that Missouri employers are informed of our state's labor laws, and I will prosecute those that ignore them."

I have been a part of - and worked with - the labor movement all of my life.  I am a former member of the Illinois CWA and the Wisconsin NEA.  I have a 100% AFL-CIO voting record as a state representative.

It is a basic right of workers in our country not to be exploited: to be paid a fair wage and to have safe and decent working conditions.  State attorneys general have not always done enough to protect this right, but as workers see their wages, pensions and safety constantly threatened, attorneys general must proactively defend workers' rights.  As attorney general, I will enforce wage and hour laws, workplace safety, workers' compensation and unemployment insurance.

In Missouri, we especially need to be vigilant enforcing new state and federal minimum wage laws.  Missouri voters last year increased the state minimum wage and required annual increases based on cost-of-living growth, and Congress this year raised the federal minimum wage.  This will be confusing for employers and employees, as they try to keep up with which law requires the higher minimum wage.  I will initiate an aggressive education and enforcement campaign to ensure that all workers are paid the required wage.

Recent events also call for attorneys general to keep a close watch on pension plans.  A pension is a promise made to workers by their employer and must be respected as such.  I will defend Missouri's public pensions and make certain Missouri companies are complying with the 2006 Pension Protection Act.