Jefferson City, MO  (KTRS)   Missouri is now a right to work state.

Governor Eric Greitens  signed the legislation on Monday morning that  bans mandatory union fees. The governor had pledged to sign right to work while on the campaign trail. He and other supporters say it will bring business and jobs to the state.

Opponents say it aims to weaken unions and could lead to lower wages.

“It’s sad to see Governor Greitens and the Republican legislature cave to big donors, corporations and special interests at the expense of Missouri’s working families.” said Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 member and Kauffman Stadium Concessions Worker Vanessa Coleman.

“But our movement for a fair economy is growing – just last year, Kansas City Public School custodians, janitors at Lambert St. Louis International Airport, and St. Louis higher education faculty joined the fight for a voice on the job, higher wages, and a brighter future.” added Coleman.

Seven of the eight states that surround Missouri already have right-to-work laws, including Kentucky where it passed last month.

Missouri’s new law will take effect August 28th.  It exempts contracts in place before then until they expire or are reopened.