University of Missouri union workers call on Choi to rescind statements in Sept. 16 email

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

LiUNA Local 955 members are calling for University of Missouri System President Mun Choi to rescind comments in an email warning staff about free expression and make it clear that conversations and statements around wages, benefits and working conditions are protected speech.

LiUNA Local 955 represents service and maintenance workers throughout the University of Missouri System, including MU Health Care.

The group held a rally in front of the northern steps of Jesse Hall on Thursday in response to Choi’s email sent out on Sept.16th.

“If an employee’s speech can cause disruption such as workplace disharmony, impeded performance or impaired working relationships, the university’s interest in the efficiency of its operations may outweigh the employee’s rights of free expression," the email states. "Speech that causes significant disruption can be a basis for discipline or termination, even when it occurs off-duty.”

"We have members who are afraid to exercise their union rights because they're being disciplined for standing up for their fellow workers," LiUNA Rep. Andrew Hutchinson said.

Choi made a brief appearance at the start of the rally on his way into Jesse Hall. As Choi exited the hall, union members chanted "What about free speech?" Choi responded that the members were executing their right to free speech by holding the rally.

Choi's email was sent after the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. After Kirk's killing, conservatives, including Vice President J.D. Vance, called for harsh consequences for people who post certain statements about the attack or Kirk.

Late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel was briefly pulled off the air for his comments about President Donald Trump following Kirk's shooting and Republicans tried to take political advantage of it.

Some union members shared stories of their own at Thursday's rally.

"On August 29th, I myself was written up. I was punished for discussing employee compensation, something we directly as a union bargain for," one member said.

All members shared the same call to action, reassurance that their right to free speech is protected.

"He (Choi) can try to say that we can't be disruptive, but the only way things change is if we are disruptive," another union member said during their rally speech.

ABC 17 News has reached out to the university for comment in response to the rally but has not received a response back.