John Hickey, the executive director of Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition (Pro-Vote), was removed last night by a vote of the group’s board at its annual meeting in Jefferson City.

Controversy surrounding Hickey had swirled in political circles last fall when he was essentially accused of working employees too hard and then union busting when they tried to unionize.

The Brotherhood of Union Support Staff (BUSS) decried Hickey’s management habits after they heard complaints. Five Pro-Vote employees signed cards to join BUSS but then later quit Pro-Vote because, they claimed, working conditions were so bad.

Pro-Vote is a state wide coalition of labor, teachers, community organizations and others. A number of Service Employees International Union arms operate out of the same building on Pershing Avenue in the Central West End.

The Pro-Vote statement released today:

“We, the more than 40 member organizations of Pro-Vote, are grateful for the fifteen years of service that John Hickey has dedicated to moving the progressive agenda forward in Missouri. Working with our organizations, John and his staff have created a powerful, respected organization and even without John at the helm we plan to continue in that tradition.”

I got through to Lenny Jones, president of Pro-Vote and head of the SEIU state council, for more commentary. He declined to comment on whether Hickey was fired over union issues, and only would say:

“There were philosophical differences between the management style the board wanted and the management style that was in practice.”

I also chatted very briefly with Hickey himself, who was lacing his son’s soccer cleats and couldn’t talk much. He offered to discuss more later — we’ll take him up on that — and would only offer the following:

“Progressives are going to win in November. We’re all on the same team.”