Prop A supporters continue fight despite loss of mandated sick leave

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

While some view Labor Day as an extra day off, local businesses and labor unions recognize the day as a reminder of working citizens.

The holiday comes after a flurry of bill signings from Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office in July. One of the bills Kehoe signed was House Bill 567, which repeals mandated sick leave requirements from Proposition A. The bill later went into effect on Aug. 28.

“It was a terrible move on their part and shows how little they respect the voters and the workers of Missouri,” Owner of Yellow Dog Bookshop and supporter of Prop A Joe Chevalier said. “Business owners now have to make the choice: are we going to continue to offer sick pay or are we going to take cover and run away and stop doing it? Employees are in kind of the same boat.”

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry released a report before the repeal of sick leave mandates detailing what businesses could do with the mandate on pause.

The chamber suggested a sliding scale approach based on what’s best for each business, from keeping sick leave until April 2026, to ending it in 2025, or cutting it off immediately on Aug. 28.

“Ultimately, because there is no guidance about payout under circumstances other than separation of employment – particularly for employers who frontloaded employees’ time – paying out up to 80 hours would be the safest option, while not paying out any EPST would be the riskiest option,” the report said.

Chevalier said that he will continue offering sick leave to his employees.

“In my opinion, it’s the right thing to do, we’re not even required to do it because we’re so small,” Chevalier said. “I decided it’s the right thing for my staff and for this business that I’m going to go forward with it.”

Proposition A was passed in November 2024 with the support of over 57% voters. The petition increased the state minimum wage and guaranteed workers one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked.

HB 567 was filed shortly in opposition by state representatives after the election. Opponents of mandated sick leave argued that its addition could be exploited by employees, hurting businesses.

“Business owners were clear: Proposition A’s paid leave and minimum wage policies were a job killer,” said president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber Kara Corches in a July statement after Kehoe’s bill signing. “Missouri employers value their employees and recognize the importance of offering competitive wages and benefits, but one-size-fits-all mandates threaten growth.

Both Chevalier and Missouri Jobs With Justice are expecting to support more legislation that will benefit workers, with MO JwJ adding, “the fight is not over.”

“We are looking at direct democracy, we’re looking at legislation, we’re looking at all kinds of things because honestly, right now with the leadership in the Missouri legislature, they are creating more problems than solving them,” Director of Strategic Partnerships for MO JwJ M’Evie Mead said.

Mead adds that representatives from MO JwJ will be present during the general assembly’s special session to discuss redistricting.

ABC 17 News reached out to the Missouri Chamber for an updated statement however, they were closed for the holiday.

Click here to follow the original article.