Legislation that would make it a crime for state workers to strike passed the House Wednesday — but only after Republicans agreed to swallow a bill they compared to a “decaffeinated, skim-milk latte.”
It looked like a Republican fire drill as GOP lawmakers poured out of the House to hold an emergency caucus in the Capitol basement.
They were in a tough spot: A vote against the bill they had attacked for weeks could kill it, leaving nothing on the table this session to prevent strikes.
The Democrats had already quashed a GOP-backed measure to ban strikes for all public employees, including teachers, transportation and public health workers.
House Republican Leader Mike May of Parker said he was unwilling to let the governor “off the hook” by not sending a no-strike bill to his desk.
“I think we need to hold the governor to his promise,” May told his caucus. “Hopefully, come November, we’ll have a bigger say next time around.”
Gov. Bill Ritter has said he would sign the bill banning strikes for state workers. Both no-strike bills are the result of his November executive order empowering workers and unions to bargain with state managers.
Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, recommended Republicans “hold our noses” and support the Democrats’ bill. Other Republicans likened the measure to a weak cup of coffee, but ultimately said it was better than nothing.
“I like strong coffee,” said Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial The Democrats’ bill “is a decaffeinated, skim-milk late.”
The no-strike bill for state workers passed 53-12, with two Republicans and 10 Democrats voting against it.
The measure also put Democrats in the odd position of voting for an anti-labor bill. Democrats said the governor wanted the bill to clear up ambiguity in his order and smooth over relations with business leaders concerned about inviting unions into state government.
Attorney General John Suthers has ruled the executive order — despite its no-strike clause — did not trump existing law giving workers the right to strike.
“I had concern that we had conflict in the law,” said Rep. Jim Riesberg, the Greeley Democrat who sponsored it. “Members of the business community pointed that out and said they’d like to see it cleared up.”
Still, some Democrats couldn’t stomach making striking a crime.
“It’s an important right,” said Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, who voted against the bill. She called Ritter’s executive order a “balanced package” between workers and employers and said the no-strike bill tarnishes it with “anti-worker sentiment.”
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, which supported both no-strike measures, said a no-strike law helps but “doesn’t fix the overall problems with the executive order.”
The order signifies “the balance between management and labor is changing here,” said spokesman Bill Ray. “That’s not good for our business climate and for our economic development efforts.”
Jennifer Brown: 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com
