The pivotal issue in this appeal is whether under Missouri law at-will employees have a contractual relationship with their employers for purposes of suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The district court determined they do not and dismissed plaintiffs’ § 1981 claims. During the pendency of the appeal, this Court ruled on this issue in Skinner v. Maritz, Inc., 253 F.3d 337 (8th Cir. 2001). In Skinner, we held that under Missouri law the relationship between at-will employees and them employers is contractual and, accordingly, that such employees may maintain § 1981 actions against their employers. On the basis of Skinner, the order of the district court is reversed and the case is remanded for further proceedings.