Technicalities about signature requirements or filing forms may not seem like traditional JWJ work, but no tool has been as important to worker’s victory in Missouri in the last five years than our century old citizen initiative process. Workers have used the tool to protect unions, raise wages and expand healthcare when our legislature refused to do so. Bent on absolute control of our economy and democracy, legislators, encouraged by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, launched over two dozen attacks on Missouri’s citizen petition process. Jobs with Justice with our allies at groups like the AFL-CIO, Organization for Black Struggle, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Metropolitan Congregations United and others tracked these bills and mobilized against them in Jefferson City. Despite the prioritization of these attacks, we were able to hold them off another year. They are certain to return, and so are we to the halls of Jefferson City
