JEFFERSON CITY -- Associated Industries of Missouri, The Voice of Missouri Business and the state's largest business trade association representing approximately 1,500 employers statewide, criticized a move by the Holden administration to force certain public employees to pay union fees.

According to a letter from the Office of Administration, certain health care workers seeking employment with the state will be required to sign an agreement to pay union fees or will not get the job.

"This is clearly an attempt to circumvent the Missouri constitution," said Gary Marble, president of Associated Industries of Missouri. "The Missouri Constitution and the laws of the state of Missouri clearly forbid imposing involuntary union fees. The Holden administration should not be allowed to circumvent the constitution by imposing these fees as a condition of employment."

Associated Industries of Missouri joined state employees, legislators and other interest groups in litigation against Executive Order 01-09 when it was issued by the governor.

"Our litigation was intended to stop the governor from doing just what he is doing now," said Marble. "The court ruled the governor didn't have the authority to enforce his executive order, but I am not sure the court contemplated forcing employees to sign pre-employment agreements."

The association contends that the Holden administration's efforts toward state employee unionization fly in the face of more than a half century of clearly identified case law.