The Denver City Council on Monday issued proclamations opposing a right-to-work ballot measure and three other initiatives on the November ballot.
The council, in an 8-2 vote, expressed opposition to Amendment 47, the so-called right-to-work initiative.
That amendment would prohibit union dues or fees as a condition of employment, a move that labor groups see as union busting.
Councilwoman Marcia Johnson said its defeat would help return labor and business to a peaceful state.
Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz and Charlie Brown opposed the proclamation, which also opposed two other business-related issues, Amendment 49 and Amendment 54.
Amendment 49 would outlaw automatic deductions of union dues from government-employee paychecks.
Amendment 54 would ban political contributions from unions or any business if they’ve won no-bid government contracts totaling $100,000 or more.
The council also passed, on a 9-1 vote with Faatz dissenting, a proclamation expressing opposition to Amendment 46. That amendment would ban governments from looking at race or gender in hiring or awarding contracts.
Councilman Michael Hancock said passage of that amendment would gut the city’s affirmative-action programs.
Council members Carol Boigon and Doug Linkhart were absent.
In other business, the council agreed to a $25,000 settlement for Grace Mosley, who last year filed a lawsuit alleging Denver Detective Martin Martinez and Denver Officer Jose Hurtado wrongly arrested her.
Her lawsuit contended that on June 29, 2006, the officers “unlawfully arrested” her and charged her with interference.
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
