When I think of unions and organized labor, I think of the lifeline that provides fair wages, essential benefits, and protections for Missouri’s workers. Unions give a voice to those who may otherwise go unheard, ensuring that every worker, from factory floors to construction sites, has the opportunity to pursue the American dream.
This hits close to home for me. Growing up, I learned firsthand how a union job can change the trajectory of a family’s life. My mom was one of 13 children, and my grandfather worked long hours to make ends meet. His union job didn’t just provide a paycheck; it gave his family access to critical benefits like health care and retirement security—things that are often taken for granted but were vital for my mother and her family.
I carry my family’s story with me every single day at the Capitol. Whether it’s a bill to slash unemployment benefits or a new policy that threatens to weaken worker protections, I promise you my voice will always be heard loud and clear on the side of organized labor.
Last session when Republicans tried to sneak a “paycheck deception” bill through my committee—a bill that would prevent workers from choosing to have union dues automatically deducted from their paychecks—I immediately sounded the alarm. I invited labor stakeholders from across the state to weigh in, educate Democratic committee members, and provide testimony. Because I believe in listening to the men and women who stand to lose the most when these anti-worker policies are passed.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen time and again how political opportunism can undermine the very people politicians claim to support. Republicans like Mike Kehoe often stand in front of a microphone and say they support workers. But when the time comes to cast a vote on a critical issue like Right to Work, they abandon working-class Missourians in favor of big corporations and wealthy donors. It’s the same playbook every time—talk about supporting workers, then vote against their interests.
On the other hand, people like House Minority Leader and Democratic nominee for governor, Crystal Quade, understand—as I do—that protecting unions is essential to preserving the middle class and ensuring economic freedom for all Missourians. I’ve spent four years working with and learning from Representative Quade, and as her term in the House comes to an end, I hope to succeed her as the next House Minority Leader. I am committed to building on her legacy, standing strong in the face of those who seek to erode the rights of working people.
We owe it to the next generation to ensure that the American dream is within reach for everyone, not just the privileged few. I am committed to ensuring that every worker in Missouri has a voice in our state, and I look forward to continuing the fight for a fairer, more just workplace for all.
Representative Ashley Aune, a Democrat, represents parts of Platte County (District 14) in the Missouri House of Representatives including Kansas City, Weatherby Lake, and Lake Waukomis.
Aune was elected to her first term in 2020, her second term in 2022, and her third in 2024, when she was elected the House Minority Leader.
During her first term in office, she was appointed by the Governor to the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission where she worked with military and civilian leaders across the state to make Missouri the most welcoming place for active duty and retired military members and their families.
Prior to politics, Representative Aune worked in marketing and owned her own agency. She received a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas with a minor in English. Born in Colorado and raised in Kansas, Aune now lives in the Kansas City Northland with her husband and stepdaughter.
