DENVER—A bill barring state employees from striking is headed to the governor.
The Senate gave final backing to the measure (House Bill 1189) in a 33-2 vote on Wednesday.
The bill was introduced in response to the controversy over an executive order Ritter issued last year. It authorized “partnership agreements” that allow state workers to meet with managers to discuss concerns but bars them from striking.
However, Republican Attorney General John Suthers said workers still had a legal right to strike despite the prohibition in the executive order. Republican lawmakers pressed for changing the law to make sure that they weren’t allowed to strike.
Workers who incite a strike would be fined $1,000 a day and jailed for up to six months. Those who join the strike would be fined $50 a day. Republicans unsuccessfully fought to have violators fired and to expand the ban to include more public workers like teachers and bus drivers.
Two Democrats voted against the bill—Sen. Lois Tochtrop of Thornton and Sen. Paula Sandoval of Denver.
