News Briefs
Colorado state workers join unions
Jun 5, 2008 5:00 PM
Some 22,500 Colorado state workers voted to join a coalition of unions that includes the AFT. Ballots went out in mid-May to the majority of the state’s workers, and results were announced June 12.
Colorado had just 6,000 dues-paying state workers, and the AFT is working with the Colorado Association of Public Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in a coalition called “Colorado WINS” to pursue the remaining 11,000 who are elegible to unionize. The effort kicked off after Gov. Bill Ritter’s November 2007 executive order gave collective-bargaining rights to most public workers.
Republicans blasted the effort. “This is about union dues, union power and skimming state employee paychecks for union dues and political contributions,” said Republican State Sen. Shawn Mitchell.
The state Legislature also made strikes by public employees illegal, and the executive order does not provide for arbitration.
Associated Press, May 22
Denver Post, May 23, June 12
