Two union representatives and a retired steel worker made a brief demonstration/appearance Tuesday at Hyde Park to talk about what they view as attacks on unions from state legislators.

“Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other public workers don’t need the Wisconsin-style attacks during these poor economic times,” said St. Joseph resident Steven Frakes, a steel worker of 35 years, now retired. “Politicians are unfairly exploiting the economic crisis to attack seniors, students and workers.”

Mr. Frakes, a former South Sider, said he didn’t want State Rep. Galen Higdon, R-St. Joseph, who represents the South Side, to side with “CEOs and corporate special interests as he has done in the past.” He was referring to Mr. Higdon’s support of legislation that requires authorization for certain labor unions to withhold fees from paychecks to make political contributions. He said a message to Mr. Higdon regarding the issue wasn’t returned.

Mr. Higdon told the News-Press that Senate Bill 202, the bill Mr. Frakes referred to, generated many e-mails to his office in Jefferson City. However, Mr. Higdon said when he read through the bill with his constituents, they pledged their support. He said the bill brought clarity to how unions were spending workers’ dues.

“I was never contacted by any CEO or corporation wanting this done,” he said. “I voted with the voice of the people, not my opinions.”

Mike Frommer, a representative with UFCW local No. 2, said legislation tackled this session friendly to business wasn’t friendly to workers.

“What they’re really saying is, lower pay, less benefits, less rights,” he said. “Unions stand for pensions, health insurance.”

Jerry Archer, a representative with IBEW, which has KCP&L workers in St. Joseph, held a sign that said “Keep Collective Bargaining Here!”

“It’s about working families,” he said. “This isn’t necessarily about protecting union rights, it’s about protecting everybody ... People aren’t going to be able to support the economy making $7 an hour with no benefits. Making unions go away is not the answer.”

Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmy.myers@newspressnow.com