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Is a fox guarding the henhouse? Nixon ‘negotiates’ with union that gave him more than $600,000 in campaign cash

September 23, 2009

JEFFERSON CITY—Amid the worst economy in a quarter-century, with hundreds of thousands of Missourians out of work, nearly 10% unemployment, and plummeting state revenue, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is pressing the state of Missouri for an extraordinary 6% raise for nearly 7,000 state workers.

On the other side of the table is “AFSCME Ally” Jay Nixon, who has taken more than $600,000 in campaign contributions from the union since 2007—including a half-million dollar check on September 10, 2008. These donations raise serious doubts about Nixon’s ability to negotiate effectively on behalf of Missourians.

But Nixon’s ties to AFSCME run much deeper than just the massive campaign contributions. One of Nixon’s top aides, Jeff Mazur, came to the governor’s office after serving as AFSCME’s top representative in Missouri. Mazur’s role in the state’s discussions with the union is unknown.

Serious negotiations need to take place, but Nixon’s extensive relationship with AFSCME calls into question his ability to secure the best possible deal for the taxpayers of Missouri.

“Jay Nixon is sitting across the bargaining table from a union that gave him more than a half-million dollars and once called him an ‘ally.’ This seems to be a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house,” said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party. “Missourians should keep a close eye on the negotiations to make sure Nixon and his staff don’t pull a fast one.  He cannot be allowed to reward his longtime ally, and top campaign donor, with a sweetheart deal at the expense of Missouri taxpayers.”

In a November 2008 website post headlined “AFSCME Ally Jay Nixon Wins in Landslide,” the union bragged about the role they played in Nixon’s election. From the post: “Nixon earned AFSCME’s support early in the cycle, as Council 72 was perhaps the first union to pledge its full support to Nixon at the beginning of 2007… AFSCME played a vital role in Nixon’s election, providing financial support but also waves of volunteer activism and grassroots advocacy on the candidate’s behalf… AFSCME Council 72 plans on going quickly to work with the new governor to improve the rights and conditions for employees of the state.”