A final vote in the state House of Representatives is expected today on a bill aimed at making it easier for workers to unionize.
If passed by the House, the bill would make it to the state Senate by mid-February, said Mi chael Garcia, D-Aurora, the bill’s sponsor.
Democrats and Republicans discussed the bill for more than an hour Friday, with a party-line vote approving the measure on second reading.
“Labor unions look out for the best interests of working men and women,” said Garcia, pointing out that unions helped set the 40-hour workweek, sick pay and improved worker safety. “That’s a good thing.”
Garcia said the bill would allow workers and employers to negotiate a union contract without interference from the state. The Colorado AFL-CIO supports the bill.
Existing state law says that a unionization effort at a company first requires that a simple majority of employees approve a union to negotiate on their behalf; then a second super-majority vote is required to create an all-union shop agreement with the employer.
The Democratic-backed bill would change the law to require just one vote and a simple majority before talks can begin about forming an all-union shop.
The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, which opposes the change in law, said that workers in such a shop would be required to “pay dues – or be terminated.”
One opponent, Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, said the bill would hurt Colorado’s economy and discourage companies from relocating to the state. He said it also opens the door for a relatively small percentage of a company’s workforce to force other workers to unionize against their will.
“For the future of economic development in Colorado, this is a critical vote,” Balmer said after Friday’s debate on the House floor. “I’m hopeful that some pro-business Democrats will look at this again over the weekend.”
Staff writer Will Shanley can be reached at 303-954-1260 or wshanley@denverpost.com.
