By Marie Moyer
ABC 17 TV (KMIZ), Columbia, MO, September 1, 2025. Also St. Joseph News Press

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." ...

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. ...

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."

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