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Just eight months after Missouri voters approved Proposition A, which aimed to gradually raise the minimum wage and guarantee paid sick leave, the law has now been reversed, triggering frustration and uncertainty among service workers across the state.
Governor Mike Kehoe recently signed legislation to roll back these key worker protections, particularly affecting employees in low-wage and fast-food industries, who had anticipated long-overdue support in managing health and work responsibilities.
A Personal Toll: One Worker’s Story
Richard Eiker, a McDonald’s worker with over 20 years of experience, and an advocate with StandUp KC and the Missouri Workers Center, shared a painful memory that underscores the impact of not having paid sick leave.
“I couldn’t afford to stay home to care for my mother, so I had to keep working to pay the bills,” said Eiker. “When I returned, she had suffered a stroke.
She was in a coma for three days and later went into a nursing home. I still wonder—what if I had been there during those crucial hours?”
Hope Turned to Disappointment
When Proposition A passed with 58% voter approval, Eiker and many others felt a sense of optimism for the first time in their careers.
“It felt like a real breakthrough, like finally workers like me were going to have basic rights, including paid time off when we’re sick,” he said.
However, the recent legislative repeal not only removes the sick leave provision, but also halts the planned annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on inflation.
“This was a popular mandate,” Eiker added. “We convinced the public. To see politicians override voters in favor of corporate interests is disheartening.”
Lack of Employer Communication
Despite the passage and repeal of the law, Eiker noted he still hasn’t received any formal notice from his employer about his sick leave balance or how he can use it, leaving workers like him in a state of confusion.
Still, Eiker remains determined and says the fight for worker rights is far from over. Organizations such as the Missouri Workers Center plan to continue advocating for fair labor practices.
The repeal of paid sick leave in Missouri has left many workers feeling betrayed and vulnerable, especially those who rely on low-wage jobs to support their families.
As the state retracts policies that once held promise, activists and service workers vow to keep pushing for what they believe are fundamental worker protections.
“This isn’t the end,” said Eiker. “We’re not giving up.”