VIDEO: Unions protest in Kansas House chamber over union political donation bill

“Who are we?..Union! Who are we?…Union!” protesters chanted inside the State house in Topeka Thursday.

A group of union members protested as elected officials in the Kansas House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill that would ban unions from taking a voluntary donation from their union member members paycheck for political activity.

“Vote no, vote no,” the group shouted as legislators took final action on the bill. Protesters were removed from the House gallery by capital police as Republican House speaker Mike O’Neal told protesters to leave the chamber.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more dismal display of disrespect for the House in my 27 years as was just displayed. Please exit the gallery,” said O’Neal.

Supporters of the bill say it will give union members more choice on where their donations are spent but union leaders say the bill is a move to silence groups who fight for fair wages.

The House voted 75 in favor and 46 against and the bill will now move to the Kansas Senate. Unions are planning additional protests on Saturday at the State house in Topeka.